CPN-UML affiliated students continue lead in vote counting

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 March: CPN-UML supporters lead in continued vote continued in Thursday’s student union elections in 300 plus campuses nation-wide under Tribhuvan University and Sanskrit University.
Results indicate the third largest party in parliament following the 10 April constituent assembly elections indicates CPN-UML student supporters dominate student politics.
Maoists, the largest party in parliament, are behind the Nepali Congress.
CPN-UML affiliated students have captured 98 campuses, Nepali Congress supporters 59 and Maoists 45, according to results declared so far.
Vote counting in violent elections continues.
Counting of votes in some campuses has been suspended because of violence.
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CPN-UML supporter killed in continuing terai violence

Kathmandu, 21 March: CPN-UML supporter was shot dead in continuing violence in the terai.
Bijaya Yadav was pulled out from his home in Dhanusha and shot dead Thursday night.
One person has been arrested.
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No commitment to immediately extend mandate of OHCHR

Kathmandu, 21 March: Prime Minister Prachanda Friday told visiting
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay the mandate of its Nepal office will be extended after consultations with political parties.
The mandate of the office opened 2005 expires June 2009.
She sought a three-year extension.
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Pensions of British ex-Gurkhas raised to meet inflation

Kathmandu, 21 March; Pensions of 26,500 ex-British Gurkhas will be raised 14.1 percent from 1 April to meet annual inflation in Nepal, British embassy said,
IN addition, 1,000 pensioners aged 80 and over will get an added 20 percent benefit.
The increment was announced by Under-Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans Kevan Jones in parliament, according to the embassy.
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Myanmar ambassador begins work

Kathmandu, 21 March; Rsident Mynmar Ambassador U Thet Oo presented his credentials to President Dr Ram Baran Yadav Friday and began work.
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Eight brigadiers still report for work

Kathmandu, 21 March: Ramindra Chhetri, spokesman, Nepal Army (NA), on Friday said that eight superannuated brigadier generals continued to attend their duties art the military headquarters, The Himalayan Times reports.
On Thursday, the defence ministry informed the NA that it has pensioned off the brigadiers.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

:That [to bring Maoists into government] was a mistake. Maoists should have been inducted in the interim government without a final decision on the Maoist army.”

(Madhav Kumar Nepal, Naya Patrika, 21 March)

“Former King Gyanendra may have gone to India on a private visit. Indian government has no interest or importance towards it.”

(Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood, Nepal Samacharpatra, 21 March)
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