Maoist activities during the ceasefire have been inconsistent. While the rebels meet political parties at interaction programs in Jhapa and Sunsari, in Ilam they have called for a blockade and are not letting foodstuffs be sold in the markets. Maoists there have ordered locals to remain in their villages and to not indulge in any kind of business. In addition, the rebels have distributed pamphlets in Jhapa's Surunga market calling for tenders for tax collection of the hat bajar. In east Nepal, Maoists still collect funds from villagers in public meetings. The abduction of teachers and students has not stopped. In fact, in an effort to increase their activities in public meetings, demonstrations and training programs, the abductions have increased.

The security forces say they have increased operations but when one visits villages, soldiers and police are nowhere to be seen. They can sometimes be spotted patrolling hilly areas but usually they remain close to district headquarters and market areas. In Argakhachi, the army is confined to safe Sandikharka. They haven't dared to enter Maoist affected villages after 12 personnel were killed and 26 injured in a security operation in June. On the other hand, unarmed Maoists were killed by forces near Limbuchok in Morang on 14 October. A few days later, two more were killed in Dumrise, Taplejung and three more arrested. A week later, another person was gunned down by security forces in Panchthar.

Gopal Prasad Panthi, former president of Nepali Congress (D) went home during Dasain this year for the first time in eight years. But his visit was only possible when he declared he was quitting politics forever. In Argakhachi, you can smell fear on the streets. Many political party leaders have fled the district while those who remain have agreed to live by Maoist rules. When UML leaders visit their local peers they are threatened. Even now, during the ceasefire, all the Mechi level offices in Jhapa, such as zonal administration, police and transportation offices, are planning to move near the army barracks in Charali due to the deteriorating security conditions.

The schools that closed under Maoist threats before the ceasefire remain shut. The All Nepal Student Union (revolutionary) has said the schools that were handed over to the community have not returned the administration to the government. They padlocked the 12 schools in Morang again last week. Sick and tired of closed schools, students of a boarding school in Jhapa held a news conference to demand the immediate reopening of their schools (pictured).

The padlocked homes of 33 workers of different parties in Argakhachi have not been opened. Local party leaders and activists whose movements had been restricted by the rebels are still not allowed to travel and the 'visa system' has not been lifted. Since the ceasefire was declared, 15,000 people have been kidnapped in Panchthar and west Nepal. The Maoists abducted teachers, students and general citizens from five VDCs and forced them to attend their program in Jitpure Market, Jitpur.