Rajbiraj, September 22:

Maoists are preparing to set up a barrier at Koshi Barrage of Saptari district and re-establish another one at Ranigunj of Sarlahi district along Mahendra Highway.

At a press conference in Rajbiraj today, Maoist Janakpur-Sagarmatha bureau member Dinkar said the barriers are being set up at these two places to control increasing incidents of loot and robbery on the highway from Saptari to Sarlahi.

At the Ranigunj barrier, the Maoists will also collect tax from passing vehicles. “Cargo trucks and passenger buses will be charged Rs 100 while short-route vehicles and private ones will be charged Rs 50 and Rs 25 respectively,” Dinkar said.

He added that the Peoples’ Liberation Army will start joint patrolling with the security forces for the safety of devotees visiting Chinnamasta Bhagwati temple at Sakhada of Saptari on the occasion of Dashain festival. “We will discuss with the administration regarding this,” Dinkar said, adding that the Maoists will also provide security in the Kankalini Temple at Bhardaha.

He added that the police posts removed from Saptari should not be re-established before the constituent assembly elections.