Maoist cadre have obstructed the delivery of food shipments in Far and Mid-Western Nepal since Thursday, the World Food Programme has said.

The suppliers stopped transporting food shipments across Nepal in the wake of nationwide anti-government demonstration on 1 May followed by an indefinite strike the next day.

In an anticipation of general strike, transporters and truck drivers are unwilling to transport WFP food items for the fear that they might be physically assaulted and their trucks vandalised or torched, WFP said.

In some cases transporters have faced payment demands in order to pass safely. Eight trucks that was ferrying WFP food from Attariya to Dadeldhura were asked to pay Rs 5,000 rupees per truck. The eight trucks were allowed to move forward only after they paid a donation of Rs1,000 each.  Another 15 trucks were allowed to move after paying Rs 500 each along the same route.

WFP has said road transportation is a critical part of its operation in Nepal, and it provides food and development support to over 2 million people in 25 districts.