Notwithstanding the statement of party leadership that they are not extorting money from people, the Maoists are continuing extortion in different parts of the country.
Maoists in Simikot, the district headquarters of Humla, extorted “donations” from 35 Indian pilgrims who were returning from Manasarobar in Tibet on Sunday.
According to the victims, they were forced to pay a total of Rs 33,000 to a group of Maoists led by vice-chief of people’s army, Surbir Ari, Kantipur daily reported.
Meanwhile, a press statement issued by the Directorate of Public Relations of the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) said the rebels on Sunday demanded 20 days salary as ‘donation’ from teachers at Bikash Higher Secondary School at Lamjung.
Similarly, rebels last Wednesday collected food items from locals at Mangtewa area of Sankhuwasabha district and manhandled Maheshwori Secondary School’s teachers at Bala VDC, the RNA statement added.
Politburo member of Maoists Matrika Yadav refuted reports that the rebels are extorting money and assured that they will investigate the incident.