Notwithstanding the commitment of the party leadership not to collect forceful donations and break the ceasefire code of conduct signed by the government and the Maoists, Maoist rebels are collecting donations forcefully from various business houses and people.

The Maoist leadership including Chairman Prachanda have been saying time and again that they are not collecting donations forcefully and the party does not have the policy of extorting money forcefully, but the reality is quiet different.

The Maoist cadres have been threatening business houses and people to give donations and also warning of dire consequences if they failed to comply with their orders.

The Maoists have also been continuing the acts of abduction and torturing people, but the party leadership has remained tight lipped in such issues.

Talking to Nepalnews, industrialist Rajendra Khetan said that the Maoist affiliated trade unions are creating obstacles in smooth operation of the industries.

He added that they are forcing industries to recruit their cadres and also raising various other demands without considering the situation of the industries.

Advisor of the Bishal Bazar Business Association, Subash Pandey said that the Maoists are threatening the businessmen indirectly to give donation as demanded by them.

He further said that the Maoists are demanding donations from different names time and again.

He further said, “Our Association gave the donations to the Maoists on behalf of all the businessmen affiliated to the Association, but on Thursday, Maoists again tried to collect donations from all shops.”

Amid these realities, one of the members of the Maoist talks team Dev Gurung told Nepalnews that his party is not taking forceful donations from any organization or individual.

He however said that there might be mistake in some cases by their cadres and assured to correct such mistakes.

“In some cases taking voluntary donations is also much publicized and described as forceful donation, but we will correct it if our cadres were involved in forceful collection of donations,” he added.

Stating that they have not received complaints from anybody about forceful donations, Gurung added that they will correct the mistake if they were given the locations and the identity of their cadres involved in collection of forceful donations.

“If we receive such information, we will take necessary action to correct it,” Gurung added.

He said that they are collecting voluntary donations to run their party and to feed their armies.

Commenting on the statement of their lower level cadres that they are returning jungle as the talks could not succeed after the appointment of Rukmangad Katawal as the Chief of the Army Staff, Gurung said, “Though the appointment in itself will not break the ceasefire, but if the government continues such regressive works, the talks process might be disrupted.”

Though the Maoists leaders are warning the government that they will start an urban uprising if the government failed to fulfill their demands, but at the same time, there has been no let up in their activities to create a conducive environment.

He however said that they are not in the favour of returning to the jungle immediately.

Meanwhile, the government seems helpless to check such activities. The government had been fulfilling the demands of the Maoists but has remained indifferent about the Maoists excesses.