Liwang (Rolpa), March 25:

The number of violent activities has gone up in Rolpa district over the last one week in the run-up to the constituent assembly election scheduled for April 10.

Though Rolpa was largely peaceful after the signing of the peace agreement between the Maoists and the government, violence has gone up in the run-up to the CA polls.

Unknown persons have killed two Maoist cadres and Maoists have manhandled activists of other political parties and intervened in other parties’ electoral campaigns.

Nepali Congress district committee member Jit Bikram Malla said, “Violent activities have threatened normal life in the district.” Malla said, “Such activities should be immediately stopped and the parties should keep up to their commitments.”

Citing deteriorating security situation, Election Commission on Sunday wrote to the Home Ministry to act swiftly to maintain security in the district.

Violent activities will not do any good to the peace process, says Rolpa CDO Baldev Gautam, adding that the cases of violence are growing. “Though all parties have expressed their commitment to peaceful electoral campaigning and respect each other’s programmes, their activists have been disobeying their leaders,” Gautam said.

Locals blamed police administration for failing to maintain security. They said the police are unable to nab the guilty even if the incident happens right under their nose.

“The administration has not done anything to maintain security,” the locals said, adding that the police remained a mere spectator when Maoists torched the RPP Nepal’s office.

Bal Krishna Pokhrel of National Human Right Commission, who has been monitoring human rights situation in Rolpa, accepted that violence is increasing in Rolpa.

“Earlier, the situation for election was conducive,” he said adding that the situation worsened.

NC candidate in Constituency No 1 Madhav Prasad Acharya said with an increasing number of attacks on electoral campaigns, everyone is doubtful about the security situation. He said the Maoists should adopt more patience in this context.

The administration has provided one policeman to every poll candidate. It said it has also been keeping an eye on their programmes and security personnel would be deployed from the nearest police post for the security of electoral assemblies.

Incidents in the past 10 days

• March 14: Unidentified group opens fire in air in Uwa VDC

• March 18: Two Maoist cadres, one each in Gam and Jayamakasala VDC, gunned down

• March 20: Maoists torch RPP Nepal’s office

• March 23: Maoists attack 11 NC activists in Phagam VDC

• March 24: Three Maoist cadres arrested with an AK 47 and INSAS rifle near Ghartigaun