Phidim-Since March, Maoists have locked over 20 houses in Ranitar forcing most villagers to live in the district headquarters and adjoining villages. The rebels targeted the families because their relatives are in the army. "For how long can we live like this? What is our crime?" asks Khadga Tamang, one of the displaced villagers. Villagers here live impoverished lives and most of them join the army to help provide for their families. As the government has been unable to help the families return, they are now relying on human rights activists to convince the Maoists to let them go home. "My son's in the army. Why do we have to suffer for that?" asks Jukki Maya Shiba, who was beaten by rebels enraged that her son joined the security force.