PHIDIM: CPN Maoist cadres led by Netra Bikram Chand on Wednesday  threatened Nibuwa Khola Micro Hydro Project Consumer Committee at Ranigaun VDC warning they would shut down the project if the committee did not provide donation to the party in Panchthar.

Work has been obstructed for two days after district secretary Arjun Ghimire and Janamukti Army chief sent a threat letter to the committee.

Chairman Narendra Karki of the committee said that two party cadres, who came on a motorcycle threatened to kidnap the committee members, construction entrepreneurs and workers, among others, and also shut down the project if the committee did not give donation as per their demand.

The letter said they were expecting donations from organisations to institutionalise peoples’ rights, facilitate those who lost a lot in the peoples’ movement and establish a people’s court.

The letter further said that the contractor and consumer committee of the project would be responsible if they ignored the letter.

As many as 420 households from wards 1 to 5 in the VDC will benefit from the project.

The project had started with the help of DDC Panchthar and the Department of Power and Environment. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 1.44 million.

Meanwhile, the party said that they have urged the people to promote the party in every way they can even with financial assistance and proclaimed that their campaign, which will be for safeguarding nationalism will be launched across the country.