Sarlahi, July 27:

The Maoists, since last Sunday, have set up a check post on Mahendra Highway to collect donations from vehicles plying on the highway.

They have set up a barrier at Ranigunj Chowk of Lalbandi-Phuljor section. Maoist cadres in combat dress collect Rs 10 from every vehicle, including passenger buses and cargo trucks, using a donation pad receipt with “security patrol help” written on it.

Claiming it was difficult to do patrolling with their own resources, military secretary of the second division of the Maoists’ eastern command, Dinesh, said, ‘we are collecting financial help to provide security to night buses.’

Meanwhile, one Rajesh Lama of Shukranagar, armed with a rifle was stopped in course of his rampage and later handed over to the Maoists in presence of human rights activists and media persons today. He was held for creating havoc in the village after fleeing the Maoists’ labour camp.