Ramechhap, October 15:

Maoist cadres are forcing transport entrepreneurs to donate them money at a time when Dashain is round the corner.

Transport entrepreneurs are in trouble as the cadres affiliated to the CPN (Maoist) are seeking donations from drivers of buses and trucks that are carrying passengers and goods.

Stating that they need assistance for war, the Maoists are collecting donations at dozens of places on the Kathmandu-Manthali road, a transport entrepreneur and bus driver Kamal Lama said.

“We gave donations to various groups at 24 different places on the Kathmandu-Manthali route today,” Lama said. “We gave donations in the name of students, transport workers and fronts of various ethic communities,” he said and accused local Maoist leaders of “being involved in collecting donations.”

“We have not been able to make profit as all our income has gone to the Maoists,” the transport entrepreneurs said. Eyewitnesses said that the Maoists are collecting donation by placing obstructions.

They are collecting up to Rs 5,000 from each loaded vehicle. Maoist district in-charge Rajan said they are collecting donations to manage expenses for Dashain festival.