Dhanding, April 19:

Cadres of the pro-Maoist Young Communist League seized a private truck belonging to a CPN-UML activist from Agrakhola in Thankre VDC of Dhading district two days ago and have refused to return it unless compensation is paid for the damage caused to their vehicle on April 4.

YCL cadres led by their district committee member Deepak Bidari seized the truck (Na 3 Kha 3357) and drove off with it to the Maoists’ liaison office at Dharke in Naubise VDC. Since then, the truck is parked there.

The CPN-Maoist district unit said the truck, belonging to UML cadre Krishna Panta of Thankre VDC, was taken under control to press the CPN-UML to pay compensation for a truck carrying Maoists that was damaged by UML cadres six days ahead of the April 10 constituent assembly poll.

On April 4, a group of 100 Maoists led by the Maoists’ Thankre VDC secretary Gyanendra Bidari attacked a team of UML leaders and cadres.

Fifteen persons, including UML district member Shankar Tamang, three women and a child were seriously injured.

UML cadres later blocked Prithvi highway demanding action against the assailants. The Maoists followed it up by attacking more UML cadres at different places.

Fed up with the escalating attacks on UML cadres, locals vandalised a truck carrying Maoist cadres.

UML district secretary Guru Prasad Burlakoti said the Maoists had let loose a reign of terror and were seizing the private property of individuals. Meanwhile, the Maoists have said they won’t release the truck until the compensation is paid.