DHANGADHI: Unified CPN-Maoist cadres yesterday seized 35 bighas of land, belonging to Paras Bahadur Singh, located in Wards No 2 and 6 of Ramshikharjhala Village Development Committee. A team of 60 activists led by area-in-charge Ganga Chaudhari ‘Samikshya’ hoisted the party flag on the land declaring that it was captured. During the insurgency, in 2001, the former rebels had seized the land, which was returned after the commencement of the peace process. According to a source, Singh, who coordinated the district monitoring committee during the King’s rule, transferred the ownership of the land to his daughter, Shivangini Shah, in 2007. Shivangini later sold the land. The new owners have now fallen victim to the Maoist action. “We bought the land for Rs 15,000 per kattha,” Khagisara Acharya said. She added that she bought 10 katthas from Shivangini last year. According to a source, Laxmi Neupane, Nirmala Rokaya and Mayadevi Hamal were among others to purchase the land. The victims said they had been ordered not to cultivate any crop there. In 2001, the Maoists had distributed the land among the landless. The party has clarified that the land had been grabbed anew since the owner did not consult them while selling it. The Maoists have seized more than 100 bighas of land in Kailali district alone after the Maoists quit the government.