Widespread violence continues; bomb goes off in capital

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 4 April: Widespread violence was reported Friday from various parts of the country, including bombings in the capital and adjoining Lalitpur, six days ahead of the 10 April constituent assembly elections.
There were no casualties when three bombs went off in the capital and adjoining Lalitpur Friday evening; the bombings were targeted against government
A bomb exploded in front of the Maoist Newa Mukti Morcha office at Tripureshwor in the capital.
One child was injured in an explosion in Biratnagar and two policemen and a Congress candidate were injured when Madesh Janatantrik Forum attacked Congress party in electioneering Friday.
Sujata, daughter of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, is being by Forum Chairman Upendra Yadav in one of the Sunsari constituencies.
Maoists and CPN-UML activists were injured in clashes and firings Dolakha, Dhading and Baitadi.
In them most serious clash in Dolakha, two dozen workers of both parties were injured in Maoist and police firings during electioneering; UML charges Maoists attacked their public meeting.
Congress attacked Maoists in Parbat overnight.
A terai group abducted a candidate of the NSP Ananda Devi and released him in Mohottari after a police pursuit.
Election Commission Friday disqualified 297 candidates and only 5703 persons will be eligible for indirect elections to assembly—335 candidates are being elected through a proportional representation vote and 245 candidates are being directly elected.
The 1,700 km open Nepal-India border will be closed for three days for the vote.
Election officials have begun to leave for electoral constituencies from Friday, the home ministry said adding preparations have been completed for the vote.
Government Thursday encouraged officials to participate in the election by increasing their insurance by Rs 500,000 and warning disciplinary action of they don’t take up assignment.
Meanwhile, Election Commission Friday asked international observers not to file negative reports on election and the environment.
Maoists continued their attack on international observers—there will be more than 60,000 such national and international observers.
Maoist Communication Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara Friday followed his boss Chairman Prachanda and charged international observers were bent on creating an environment to defeat Maoists in elections.
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Bhutanese refugees restricted

Kathmandu, 4 April: Bhutanese refugees in seven camps in Jhapa have been told to stay inside UNHCR-administered camps during elections.
The CDO issued two written instructions not to indulge in political activities during the vote.
Another camp is in adjoining Morang district.
There are 108,000 refugees in camps; some have moved to USA, New Zealand, Canada and Norway for resettlement after 17 years in the camps.
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