Sindhupalchowk, March 14:

Maoists here today barred dairy farmers from selling milk in the district headquarters with the beginning of a three-week Maoist blockade in the district headquarters.

Local farmers in the areas surrounding the district headquarters said the Maoists had told them not to sell milk till mid-April.

“When I was going to Chautara to sell milk, Maoists forced me to return from Melchour,” said a farmer of Sanusirubari, adding, “We are facing hard times as we have to make a living from selling milk.”

According to locals, Maoists have deployed a Maoist cadre each in every tole (locality) to bar farmers from selling milk in the district headquarters and surrounding areas during their blockade.

“They have threatened me with punishment if I tried to sell milk in the district headquarters,” said a local woman.

Maoists have placed obstructions on the Araniko Highway, the Helambu Highway and the Bandeu-Chautara section of the road to make their blockade a success, locals said.

Due to the obstructions no vehicle, including ambulances, was seen plying on the roads today.

Maoists, as part of their blockade programme, have been barring the civilians from entering the district headquarters by stationing themselves at entry points to the district headquarters.