Ramechhap, March 17:

The Maoist-called blockade has affected people across the country.

People of as many as 10 VDCs of Ramechhap district, including Chisapani, Gelu and Phulasi, have been facing difficulties due to obstructions placed by the Maoists on the roads.

People have been terrified as the Maoists placed four bags with danger signs across the bridge over the Tamakoshi river in Manthali VDC- 4 on Wednesday. Passengers were stranded at the district headquarters as no vehicles plied.

Vehicular movement came to a grinding halt, a report from Sarlahi said, adding that even bicycles were not seen on the roads.

Traffic came to a halt after the Maoists planted landmine on the Nawalpur-Malangwa road today.

Movement of people has gone down sharply in the markets of Malangwa, Hariwan, Lalbandi, Ishworpur, and Barathawa.

Meanwhile, the blockade has created scarcity of basic necessities in Udayapur. The shortage has caused market prices to soar.

The blockade has also hit hard the students appearing for SLC exams, which begin on March 27.

Traffic has come to a halt on the Attariya-Dadeldhura sector of the Bhim Dutta Highway for four days, a report from Kailali said, adding that even ambulances did not ply. Hilly areas of the district witnessed scarcity of daily needs. “I took my sick wife to Dhangadi, paying Rs 8,000 as taxi fare,” said Chandra Tamang of Doti.

The districts of Dadeldhura, Doti, Achham, Bajhang and Bajura have also been hit hard due to the scarcity of basic commodities.

Though the Maoists issued a notice, calling for the resumption of traffic from Attariya to Gaura (Doti), there was no vehicular movement. Hundreds of pedestrians, along with their children, were walking on the roads in the hilly districts of the far-west.

Post-rumour rush

Nepalgunj: As the rumour of the Maoists calling off the blockade began making rounds, vehicles began plying in Nepalgunj today.

Six buses left Nepalgunj for Surkhet and four buses left for Dang, the Veri Bus Entrepreneur Association said.

A number of buses were plying the Nepalgunj-Kohalpur road sector today, even as long-route vehicles remained off the roads.

Elsewhere, defying the blockade, vehicles, including buses and jeeps, plied in Taulihawa and Chanauta (Krishnanagar). Buses also headed to Dang and Arghakhanchi from Taulihawa. — HNS