Rupandehi, December 12 :

The Maoists resorted to sloganeering yesterday and today to protest against the re-establishment of police posts in different parts of Rupandehi and Nawalparasi districts.

Several police posts across the district had been removed during the conflict.

Superintendent of Police Jagat Bahadur Bista, the chief of the District Police Office Rupandehi, said some 10-15 Maoists shouted slogans to protest against re-establishment of Dhak Dhai police post. They have been claiming that there is no need of a police post there.

“Only 27 of the 50 police posts in the district are operational now,” he added.

The district police office has clarified that the task of re-establishing the police posts had been initiated as per the directive of the Home Ministry after the government and the Maoists signed the Comprehensive National Peace Treaty.

Sub-Inspector of Butwal Area Police Office, Suk Dev Neupane, said the Maoists also obstructed re-establishment of the Ranyaura police post in Parroha VDC.

“The police team which was assigned for duty in the Ranyaura post returned to Butwal in the night after the Maoists asked them not to stay there,” he said.

SI Neupane said locals are demanding re-establishment of police posts to curb the rise in criminal activities.

The Maoist Rupandehi district chief, Bam Dev Chhetri, said his party is not in favour of re-establishment of police posts until local bodies are formed.