Maoists yet to return seized property

Banke, March 26:

People displaced during the Maoist insurgency expressed disappointment over failure of Maoists to return the seized land and property to their rightful owners.

They also flayed the failure of Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal for failing to implement past accords and his own promises, and warned of protests if the Maoists did not return the property at the earliest.

Though the Maoist chairman had directed his party cadres to return the seized land and property, local Maoist cadres are not following the direction.

Meanwhile, the local administration said it was ready to clear out the seized land by using force if the government directed them to do so.

The Maoists had seized largest areas of land in Bardiya district during

the conflict. They had seized lands belonging to different persons including the former Prime

Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and CA members from the district.

According to Pramod Upadhyay, chairman of the campaign formed to return the displaced to their homes, a total of 1,819 bighas of land belonging to 354 households in the district was still under the Maoists’ control.

“Though we held several talks with the local Maoists, they are not ready to return the property until a new land reform system was implemented,” added Upadhyay.

Meanwhile, Maoist district secretary aka Himal claimed that they had already returned the seized property.

However, the displaced are hopeless about getting their property back and are living miserable and difficult life.

“I have no hope of getting my land back,” Janakraj Gyawali of Manau-5 said, accusing the government of deceiving the people.