Uprety, however, is allowed to sell the lands to those recommended by the Maoist cadres. Maoist local leaders and cadres have been allowing him to sell only to individuals designated by them and only at prices fixed by them. [break]
Uprety has to take prior consent from the Maoists before selling any of his land.
The Maoists had seized his 40 bighaha. Of this total, he has already sold 20 bighaha with the consent of the Maoist party.
Uprety is just one example. Local Maoist cadres are found to have been selling seized land and property to their near and dear ones, taking huge undue advantage of the rightful owners. However, as of today, no one has dared to speak out, fearing possible attack.
Meanwhile, the Maoists are getting richer overnight. "We are compelled to sell our lands which were seized by the Maoists as we face problems running our regular activities," lamented Uprety, adding, "Maoist cadres are getting up to Rs 1 million commission for a land transaction of one bighaha."
"I sold my lands to those recommended by the Maoists, and at very low price," said Uprety, adding, "I had no other option as I couldn´t run my household properly for lack of money."
Uprety further claimed that he was compelled to sell his lands at one-fifth the estimated price.
"We cannot sell our lands on our own," Uprety said, adding, "And no landless squatters have been using the seized lands. Only the Maoist cadres have been misusing our seized lands and properties for so long, all in the name of landless squatters."
Maoists had also seized 35 bighaha belonging to Paras Bahadur Singh 11 years ago. "I have just sold five bighaha with the consent of the Maoists as I am facing severe difficulties running my household," Singh divulged. The Maoists had killed his only son. "I know that my land is worth Rs 1.7 million to 1.8 million per bighaha," he said. "However, I was compelled to sell at Rs 200,000 to 300,000."
Singh said that he was the most exploited man in the village. "I lost not only my son but also my house and lands," he said. On the other hand, the Maoists are found to have taken advantage not only of those selling their lands but also of land purchasers.
"My land was estimated at Rs 1.6 million," said Raju Shahi of Narayanpur, adding, "However, I sold it at only Rs 400,000 due to pressure from the Maoists."
Shiva Kumar Dangol of Hasuliya-7 has been deprived of his lands and house for the past 11 years. "I remain deprived of the use of my 20 bighaha and house," he lamented.
Dangol said that Maoist cadres have been pressing him continuously to sell his land at Rs 500,000 per bighaha.
"I flatly refused to sell at just Rs 500,000, saying it is worth at least Rs 1.7 million to 1.8 million," he added.
Similarly, the Maoists have still not returned the 55 bighaha seized from Arband Lal 11 years back. "I remain unable to return to my hometown due Maoist thereat," Lal lamented.
Meanwhile, it has been found that the Maoists are not only pressing innocent land owners to sell their land cheap but they are also renting out seized lands. "The Maoists have been renting out seized lands at Rs 12,000 per month," said Ganesh Malla, secretary of the conflict victims´ society, "The Maoists have been earning over 100 million each year from such rented lands."
According to Malla, as of today, the Maoists have already sold more than 100 bighaha belonging to several farmers.
The Maoists have seized more lands in Kailali district. According to Chief District Officer (CDO) Kailash Kumal Bajimaya, the Maoists have seized more then 2,000 bighaha owned by 240 households.
The Supreme Court had issued an order to the government two years ago to return seized lands to the rightful owners. As of today, the Maoists have not returned even a single piece of land.
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