Panchthar, September 5:

The week-long blockade called by the Maoists from September 2 to 8 in Panchthar and Taplejung districts continued today for the fourth day despite the announcement of three-month ceasefire by the Maoist supremo Prachanda on September 3. The Maoists sent three vehicles, which were heading from Phidim to Birtamod, back to Phidim, local passengers said. They said the Maoists here had said the truce announcement was merely a central-level decision and they were not going to withdraw the blockade. Tek Bahadur Limbu of Bharpa-9 said that he was compelled to walk from Ranke bazaar to Phidim after Maoists sent back the taxi he hired to Ranke bazaar.

Sabita Raut, a member of the civil society, said the blockade has been badly affecting the greatest festival of Nepali women, Teej, too. She urged the Maoists to immediately withdraw the blockade. The first vice-chairman of Panchthar Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Deepak Nepal, said the blockade has caused much trouble to the locals here. He said the continuation to the blockade shows that there is no coordination between the central and district-level leaders of the Maoists. “If the ceasefire is for real, this should be implemented at all levels — national and local,” he added. Human right activists were of the view that the continuation to the blockade even after the ceasefire announcement might spread negative message about the Maoists themselves within the country and abroad. It will also harm their credibility, they said.