Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, May 20:

Security forces have claimed that they have managed to thwart the nine-day Maoist blockade at various district headquarters and Kathmandu Valley, according to a press release issued today by the Public Relations Directorate of the Royal Nepalese Army.

A large number of security personnel were deployed at various places along the main highways leading to district headquarters and Kathmandu to ensure that the normal flow of essential materials and agricultural products is not hampered during the Maoist blockade that has been in place since the last week of Baishakh.

The press release stated that the security forces have been carrying out their duty efficiently with help from the local administrative bodies and representatives of various business groups. "However, the work became difficult due to the lack of desired support from the local transport entrepreneurs," the release stated, adding they expect support in the days to come.

During the blockade, some 629 vehicles with food grains, 445 with vegetables, 1,832 with building materials and 134 with fuel entered the Valley from May 9-17.