Ramechhap, January 13 :

Maoist cadres this morning turned away the policemen who had gone for the re-establishment of Bethan area police office in Ramechhap.

“Around 300 locals including Maoists forced the policemen to leave the village immediately, yesterday. So the police team left the area this morning,” Sanubabu Pandey, a local, informed journalists over telephone.

A group of 15 police personnel, who reached Bethan to reinstate police post were compelled to stay in sheds and hotels after the Maoists and locals did not provide them place to stay.

“Seven Maoist cadres this morning asked the policemen to leave the village and the policemen left the village but have not arrived in the district headquarters yet because they have been directed not to return. Perhaps they are taking shelter in neighbouring VDC,” said DSP Shiv Hari Baskota.

Maoists yesterday also sent back a police team which had reached Gunsi to re-establish a police post there and now are staying at Tokanpur VDC.