Himalayan News Service

Dang, April 21:

With both the government and the Maoists imposing sanctions, the residents of Rolpa district are really caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. On one hand, the Maoists use threats and other muscle tactics, while on the other the hand the security forces unnecessarily torture innocent people under the guise of security operation. To add to the difficulties, the price of necessary goods has gone up by 50-100 per cent. And food crisis is rife and very real, said Om Panchhi, a local teacher and treasurer of Lalit Literature Council, Rolpa.

Local rice can be got for Rs 40-50 for a kilo, where earlier it used to cost Rs 13 per kilo. But due to the high price, people are unable to buy the amount of rice they need. Cauliflower is priced at Rs 50 per kilo, said another teacher Dev Bahadur Puna. Panchhi said there is no LPG, no food at the food corporation, and due to shortage of kerosene, people have resorted to firewood. He pointed out that the Maoist-called sanction was the main reason the necessary goods had not reached the district headquarters, Liwang. Some businessmen, however, are doing a roaring business having started a black market.

Taking advantage of the situation, even the porters have hiked their rates. They charge Rs 500 to carry 50 kg of rice to Liwang from Sulichaur. It takes 7 hours to walk to Liwang from Sulichaur. Liwang nowadays bears a deserted look. A large number of locals have already left. Locals said the Maoists and government have failed in their mission, and added they are not happy with their dealings.