PHIDIM: Cadres of UCPN-Maoist seized 30 ropanis of land belonging to Padmasundar Lawati, central deputy chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal, here in Angna VDC of Panchthar district. A team of Maoist cadres led by their leader, Amarsingh Thapa, announced the seizure a few days ago. The team also destroyed the paddy crop. District assistant secretary of the RPP-Nepal, Ram Bahudur Thapa, confirmed the incident and said that a local resident had been cultivating the land.

Issuing a press release here today, the RPP-Nepal here condemned the Maoists’ act. Mentioning that such activities may adversely affect the peace process, the party urged the former rebels to return the land.

Harka Nembang, Maoist district in-charge, informed that they had seized the land as Lawati was exploiting the farmer who had been cultivating the land since long. The Maoists had seized Lawati’s land and house in Yasok VDC during insurgency as well.