Though the government has said that both the municipal and parliamentary elections will be held on time since law and order situation in the country had considerably improved after the February 1 royal takeover, Maoists are collecting donations from all vehicles plying in Pyuthan district of western Nepal.

Maoists are collecting donations from every vehicle in the name of registering the vehicles with the so called district government of the Maoists.

Maoists have been collecting five to 20 thousand rupees from each vehicle depending on the model.

Vehicles from Rapti, Sworgdwari, Bheri, Mahakali and Lumbini Zonal Transportation Entrepreneurs’ Committee are operating in the district.

Apart from the yearly registration fees, Maoists also collect seasonal tariff from the bus and truck owners.

A bus entrepreneur complained told Nepalnews in the condition of anonymity that they were compelled to follow the directives of the Maoists as the government failed to provide security to them.

There is no presence of security forces except in the district headquarter of Khalanga and the Maoists are imposing their rule in remote parts of the district, he added.

Though Maoists had declared three-month long ceasefire with immediate effect on September 3, they are continuing their activities in the district.