Life in the district has been difficult as agitating Maoist cadres have been obstructing vehicle movement and forcing marketplaces to close. [break]
Locals have been bearing the burnt of the strike, with an acute shortage of daily essentials including sugar, rice and edible oil. The prolonged strike has worsened the food shortage in the district, according to Taplejung Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
The Maoists called the strike, pressuring the government to punish those behind the killing of their cadre and provide compensation to the victim´s family.
Unidentified gangs have killed three Maoist cadres-- Lagam Limbu, Laxmi Banem and Rajendra Limbu--in Taplejung district in the past one-year period.
Local authorities on Monday arrested 12 Maoist cadres involved in vandalizing government offices a few days ago. The agitating Maoists have added their release to the list of demands.
The Maoists have declined to sit for talks with local authorities unless their arrested cadre are released.
“We repeatedly called them for talks,” said Police Inspector Bharat Khadka at District Police Office, Taplejung. “But they have been snubbing us.”
According to Mechi Zone police chief Rabi Shrestha, local authorities have initiated action under the Public Offense Act against the arrested Maoist cadre including Maoist Taplejung district secretary Khel Prasad Budhathoki.
Police arrested them while they were vandalizing the District Administration Office and the District Land Revenue Office in course of their protest activities.
The agitating Maoist cadres have also been enforcing a shutdown in neighboring districts including Panchthar and Ilam since the past few days.
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