Himalayan News Service

Dhading, April 25:

Food scarcity has hit the northern parts of Dhading district due to the indefinite sanctions imposed by Maoists in retaliation for the death of dozens of their district-level leaders.

Although the local administration and security forces claim security has been beefed up since April 7, no vehicle is plying on the Taribesi-Arughat road.

The Maoist embargo in the 10-km area linked by the road, rural parts including over 15 VDCs of northern parts of Dhading and more than 12 VDCs of adjoining Gorkha district has hit life hard.

A teacher said locals were gnoring the Maoist ban on travel on foot. The Maoist embargo, just before the monsoon season, has left shops in the affected areas with depleted stocks.

Locals said appeals to the Maoists to lift the embargo have gone unheeded.

The sanction has also affected supply of educational material in 150 schools. Teachers and former public representatives are worried that if the sanction drags on for another few days, famine is certain to break out.