Siraha/Mahottari, May 24:

Activists of the Jwala Singh-led Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha (JTMM-J) yesterday padlocked the office of the Underground Water Resources Development project in Lahan.

JTMM-J activists led by district member Raju Singh Bidrohi padlocked the project’s office as it did not pay tax to the “Tarai government” and also invited a tender without the “Tarai government’s” approval, district in-charge of the JTMM-J Tufan Singh Bidrohi said.

Meanwhile, Kshir Krishna Gautam of Asanpur-4, who was abducted by cadres of the Jay Krishna Goit-led JTMM (JTMM-G) 10 days ago, was released at an undisclosed location yesterday. He was released on the condition that he solve a dispute on some land, Siraha-Saptari incharge of the JTMM-G, Pradeep, said.

In Mahottari today, activists of the JTMM-G grabbed 24 bighas of land at Sitapur Bhangaha VDC of the district. Twelve bighas of land each belonging to former chief justice of the SC Bishwa Nath Upadhyay and former governor of the Nepal Rastra Bank Satyendra Pyara Shrestha were grabbed, JTMM-G activist Rajesh said over telephone. The Mahottari District Police Office, however, said it was unaware of the land grab.

The JTMM-J has, meanwhile, warned of action against district-based civil servants under the Local Development Ministry if they don’t agree to work for the “Tarai Government”. A report from Rajbiraj said JTMM-J activists thrashed a woman, Satul Khatun, 40, last night for allegedly spying on the group.

Also today, activists of the Madhesi Tigers abducted Ramesh Kumar Gupta, 55 of Portaha VDC-1 of Saptari.