“Regular activities of hundreds of VDCs have been affected due to security threats facing secretaries," said Shiva Bahadur Rayamajhi, joint secretary at the MoLd adding, “We have asked the Home Ministry to ensure security to the secretaries." Of the total 3915, nearly 2100 VDC have been badly affected due to absence of VDC secretaries. [break]
The MoLD, however, has still not approved their resignation. According to MoLD, nearly 600 posts of VDC secretaries have been lying vacant.
Stating that the political parties have failed to promulgate the new constitution, the Morcha has warned the VDC secretaries to either quit their job or face the consequences. “We want to run local government,”reads a letter written by the outfit to the secretaries. Nine VDC secretaries have been killed after the peace process began.
Secretaries, especially from seven districts of Tarai -- Parsa, Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Saptari and Siraha -- have been compelled to quit due to threats from various other outfits. There are altogether 131 armed outfits operating in Tarai.
But state authorities doubt if the Morcha really exists. "We have received information that a major political party has been carrying out criminal activities in the name of Morcha," said an official on condition of anonymity.
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