Sirpa (Rolpa), August 23 :

Residents in the remote hilly district of Rolpa are lamenting that they are yet to experience peace even after the ceasefire announced by the government and the Maoists. They say Maoists are frequently violating the ceasefire code of conduct.

One Gopi Baniya of Sirpa VDC was recently traumatised by the rebels. Talking to this daily, she said: “A group of Maoists beat me up one whole night after abducting me and freed me the next day. Maoists also beat up another 12 persons and released them after their relatives paid a ransom of Rs 69,000.”

Pobi Gharti of the same area said: “Maoists have not returned my property they had seized even after the ceasefire. My family members are having problems going about their daily lives as the rebels have captured our land and our house. They have taken along with them land registration certificates, citizenship certificates and other valuables.” The rebels accused me of sending my son to join the police force last year and seized the property, Gharti said.

Despite the ceasefire, locals here are still terrified. According to victims, 30 locals of this area, who were displaced following the rebels’ campaigns, are yet to return to the village.

According to the former VDC chairman, Durga Khadka, some displaced families are yet to return to the village as Maoists have not returned their property they had captured. Locals Dor Bahadur GC and Hikmat Gharti — who had returned to the village after the ceasefire — are now planning to leave again.