The local administration has been detaining a mother with her three month old child in a dark roomon the charge of being a Maoist in the eastern district of Ilam, reports said.

Police arrested and detained Man Maya Mukhiya of Puwamjhua-3 when she came to the district headquarters to buy medicine for her three month old child, according to Kantipur daily.

The police also kept her three month old child when mother of Man Maya arrived at the district headquarters to request authorities for the release of her daughter.

Rights activists and relatives have been barred from meeting her saying the investigation has not been completed yet.

The child is said to be in serious condition.

Rights activists and relatives have protested the move and appealed the authorities to immediately release her.

However, Chief District Officer Krishna Prasad Poudel said that relatives were barred from meeting her as the investigation was on and added that Mana Maya was being treated in a humanitarian way.