ROLPA-For the first time after they began the 'people's war' in Rolpa and Rukum, the Maoists have started development work. A road project was launched recently in Gairigaun, Deukholi, Thawang in Rolpa and Chunwang in Rukum under orders of Maoist supremo Prachanda and joint decision by the Magarant Autonomous People's Government. Locals are participating in the construction of a 91 km road which will take three years to finish. "The plan is to stretch the road from Nuwagaun to Thawang," says Comrade Prashant, coordinator of the road construction committee under the All-Nepal Revolutionary People's Council. The Council says it started the road in response to local demand. The Maoists say people from other districts will also help in the construction and a brigade will be mobilised to ensure security during construction, states Comrade Bibek of the Mangalsen Division. All schoolteachers and students based at the construction sites will be mobilised for a week. According to Santosh Buda, chief of Magarant Autonomous State, a budget of Rs 10 million has been allocated for the work and 200,000 people will benefit.