Phidim, August 1:

The Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League cadres today seized the Panchthar District Development Committee office (DDC) and barred contractors from registering tender bids for the collection of export tax.

Nineteen contractors had bought the tender forms and were vying for the contract after the DDC had called for the bidding. YCL obstructed the registration process saying it would take up the job if the interested contractors did not pay royalty to the YCL.

Deadline for the registration was from 10am to 12 noon, but YCL cadres seized the DDC since

5am. YCL cadres prevented DDC employees, VDC secretaries and journalists from entering the office.