Dipayal, January 7:

A large number of youths from the hilly districts of the Far-Western Development region have started flocking to India after the termination of the Maoists’ four-month-long unilateral ceasefire.

Many rural youths had returned home from India after the Maoists announced the ceasefire on September 3 last year.

Over two dozen youths of northern VDCs of Doti district, namely Jhapali and Girichau, left for India yesterday. One Shyam Bista of Girichau VDC said, “We urge the warring sides to make favourable environment for us to remain in our homes with our families.” He added that the only good thing they experienced during the ceasefire was that they got chance to celebrate Dashain and Tihar in peace.

Similarly, over three dozen youths, including women, left for India from Siudi, Sokat and Patal regions of Acham district on the same day. Their relatives, who had come to see them off in Dipayal, said they will call them back if peace is restored in the country. Mani Saud of Siudi, who was leaving for India, was worried that he would not get a job in India, as Nepalis are nowadays not trusted there.

Mani Nath of Bajura Pandusen, who was on his way to Simla of Uttarranchal State of India via Jhulaghat of Baitadi along with his two sons, said, “I will return to Nepal on the very day I hear about bilateral ceasefire of the government and the Maoists.”

Chairman of the Human Rights and Public Service Centre Doti, Deepak Singh, urged both the warring sides to make favourable environment to stop displacement of a large number of youths.