The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the Maoists to stop violence and respect international humanitarian laws.

A press statement issued by the NHRC branch Biratnagar expressed serious concern over the media reports that Maoists enforced an indefinite bandh (shutdown strike) in Khandbari of Sankhuwasabha district since three weeks, media reports said.

“We demand an end to such an irresponsible act that directly affects people’s lives. We demand withdrawing of the bandh and urge concerned parties not to repeat such acts,” the statement adds

The NHRC also demanded immediate and unconditional release of three individuals abducted by Maoists from Murkuchi area of Udaypur district on last Thursday.

The NHRC also expressed concern over the Maoist atrocities against Sagarmani Khanal, a teacher of Niguradin village development committee ward number 4 of Taplejung district, who was forced to flee his house in February after he refused to give donation to rebels.

The NHRC also expressed concern over media reports that unidentified people have disconnected water supply lines in Myanglung bazaar of Terathum district, according to reports.

Meanwhile, a report from Bardiya said Maoists looted medicine worth about 1.1 million rupees from Bholagaudhi along the Nepalgunj-Gulariya road section in Bardiya on Saturday.

The consignment, meant for Bardiya District Health Office, which was being transported from the Regional Medical Store of Nepalgunj in a reserved bus (Na 2 Kha 5306), was seized by rebels.

According to eyewitnesses, the rebels took the medicines toward Jamuni village via Mainapokhari.

However, the Kantipur daily reported that the security forces took back all the medicines looted by the Maoists on Sunday.

The paper quoted sources as saying that both the sides exchanged firing during the incident.