KATHMANDU, Nov 21: With the upcoming parliamentary and provincial polls drawing near each day, threats against poll security have continued unabated. 

Threats against the poll security remain high with the elections for the parliamentary and provincial elections just a couple of days away.
Netra Bikram Chand -led Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) has been reportedly extorting Rs 10,000 to Rs 200,000 from people running business and industries in Banke district. The group has adopted a policy to boycott the elections and is extorting money from businessmen to support their cause.

Industrialist and businesspersons are being the victims of extortion from various groups including Chand-led CPN to cover their anti-election campaigns. 

A businessperson operating a brick factory in Khajura complained that the cadres of Chand-led CPN have been demanding Rs 200,000 as donation. “They asked us the money but we stalled it saying we don't have that much amount currently.” 

In Rauswa, three motorcycles used for poll promotion activities by the left alliance comprising of CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) have been burnt on Sunday evening. The incident took place in Nesing of the district while the culprits are yet to be identified. 

Police suspect that cadres of the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) may have been involved as the area has strong influence of the party. Police Inspector Dhubra Silwal of the District Police Office, Rasuwa, informed that investigation is underway.

Of late, attacks on poll candidates have also become common. On Monday, UML published a press statement urging the government to tighten poll security after candidates repeatedly faced attacks during poll campaigns. Just a day earlier, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had pledged to conclude the elections in a peaceful manner.

 
• threats
 
• against
 
• poll
 
• security
 
• continues