Give Moist terrorist chance to run the country, good Idea? Maoists step up donation drive BY SHIVA PURI & SURENDRA SUBEDI RAUTAHAT, Sept 29 - Intensified donation drive launched by Maoists has unleashed a reign of terror among residents of Sankhuwasaba district. Maoists have been extorting money from locals as well as government employees. Various Maoist wings claim they are collecting "donation" as their party is under huge debt burden (five million). The wings of Maoists collecting donation includes "District People's Government", "Peoples' Liberation Army" and "Kirat District People's Government". People of 33 VDCs and one municipality are under the terror of Maoist extortion. Shopkeepers are forced to sell goods on credit to Maoists who say they will pay off the debts after four months. A few days back they demanded 20 days salary from municipality staffers. Later, they settled for Rs 10,200. Similarly, they collected Rs 10,000 from employees of District Health Office. Maoists ban timber transaction Timber worth Rs 10 million remains unsold in the jungle and has been in a state of decay since Maoists stopped timber transaction in Rautahat and Bara districts. The Maoists imposed the ban, citing order from "higher authority". They say the decision was taken following complaints from locals that timber from the jungle was being smuggled by forest officials in collusion with local Maoists. Local contractors are involved in timber smuggling. A local contractor, who brought timber from the jungle to a saw mill, said, "We bought it from Maoists." "It's cheaper to buy from them than the forest office." According to Sameer, area secretary of Maoists, they banned timber transaction as some people started taking advantage in the name of Maoists.