Notwithstanding their commitments to the national and international humanitarian laws, Maoists barred dairy farmers from selling milk in the district headquarters with the beginning of a three-week Maoist blockade in the district headquarters from Tuesday.

Local farmers in the areas surrounding the district headquarters said the Maoists had told them not to sell milk till mid-April, according to newspaper reports.

“When I was going to Chautara to sell milk, Maoists forced me to return from Melchour,” said a farmer of Sanusirubari, adding, “We are facing hard times as we have to make a living from selling milk.”

According to locals, Maoists have deployed a Maoist cadre each in every tole (locality) and forced farmers not to sell milk in the district headquarters and surrounding areas during their blockade.

Maoists have also placed obstructions on the Araniko Highway, the Helambu Highway and the Bandeu-Chautara section of the road to make their blockade a success, locals said. Due to the obstructions no vehicle, including ambulances, was seen plying on the roads.