DAILEKH- Dasain gave many people in the district a chance to escape the Maoists. A large number of villagers fled their homes during the ceasefire called by both the rebels and the government. The Maoists had announced that every villager would have to join their war full-time and remain underground. Fearing forced recruitment many villagers fled to India. They managed to sneak through the Maoist checkpoints claiming to visit district headquarters. Thousands of youth, elderly citizens and children fled from the remote villages.

A large number of villagers who were unable to pay for bus fares are refugees in the district headquarters begging human rights activists and journalists for food and shelter. The villagers said that the Maoists were creating pressure with extortion, threats and abductions. The government has to start the peace process quickly. If not, then it has to protect and support displaced families, said a villager who had to abandon his house and land to escape the rebels. Many of the displaced families came together from Naumule village. They are now planning to form an anti-Maoist group in the hopes of returning to their village and getting rid of the rebels.

We can do this if the government gives us full support, said displaced teacher, Gegan Shahi from Naumule. The Maoists seized all his property, locked his house and threatened to execute his family. Many other villagers are also destitute. This is the time when we harvest crops and store food for winter, said a worried villager who had to leave behind his standing crops. I have no hope from this government. I think I will die working here, says 85-year old Hari Kala Shahi, who is forced to grind stones with her weak old hands to make a living.