Itahari, October 29:

Maoists, at the request of the community forest consumers’ federation, have mobilized their army and militia to control timber smuggling in the jungles of Sunsari’s Bharaul VDC and Itahari municipality.

According to the president of the Sunsari community forest consumers’ federation, Ganesh Guragai, help from the Maoists was sought after all efforts of the forest administration and consumers were ineffective in controlling timber smuggling in Kalindra, Amah, of Sunsari’s Bharaul VDC, and Shantinagar community forest of Itahari.

Now, 40 men — 20 each from the Maoists’ army and consumers’ federation — are patrolling the forests day and night.