Student union elections amid violence

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 March: Student union elections are being held in 300 plus campuses under Tribhuvan University amid violence and postponements.
Elections were postponed in three campuses in the capital amid charges of irregularities.
Elections are being held amid bomb explosions and clashes between police and students.
Elections haven’t started amid disputes.
A triangular contest is emerging between supporters of Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Maoists.
The result will determine the hold of the three parties on campus students.
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PM, Girija hold discussions

Kathmandu, 19 March: Prime Minister Prachanda Thursday held political discussions with main opposition leader Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter’s residence.
A Congress source said the prime minister won’t bow down to pressure to rescind reinstate eight brigadier generals whose tenure expired Monday.
A published report said the government chief is holding a file for the promotions of the generals.
Maoist Defence Minister Raam Bahadur Thapa Badal had signed on a cabinet proposal to extend their tenure.
A conflict is brewing between government and the army over the issue.
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Seven injured in Birgunj bomb blast

Kathmandu, 19 March: Seven persons were injured in an overnight bomb blast in Birgunj, three seriously.
Violence continues unabated in the south.
The blast went off at six in the evening in front of Maissthan temple.
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Maoist supporters appointed envoys to India, France

Kathmandu, 19 March: Maoist supporters have been appointed ambassadors to India and France.
Chandra Kant Paudel, a economics teacher, has been appointed ambassador to India while Ram Karki has been appointed ambassador to France.
Karki represented Maoists in Europe during the people’s war.
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UN human rights chief discusses renewal of OHCHR mandate

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 March: Visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay Thursday discussed expending the mandate of the UN High Commission for Human Rights that expires this year.
Discussions were held with ministers, including Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav.
The Commission entered Nepal under pressure mainly of western countries by defaming the National Human Rights Commission during the royal regime.
The cash-strapped OHCHR has very little work to do in Nepal; the work can be done from headquarters in Geneva.
UN has a large presence in Nepal.
United Nations High Commission for Refugees is in Nepal overseeing the management of 109,000 Bhutanese refugees in Nepal for more than 17 years overseeing their management but has failed work for their return home.
Instead, they are being to sent to western countries under a controversial programme to help help Bhutanese ethnic cleansing.
The Buddhist Himalayan kingdom forcibly expelled Hinhus of Nepalai ethnicity.
The UNDP has an independent representation.
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PM Prachanda leaving for Norway 28 March

Kathmandu, 19 March: PM Prachanda is leaving for a visit of some European countries 28 March, Annapurna Post reports.
He is visiting Norway.
He is also likely to visit Belgium.
Chinese Ambassador Qiu Guohong has asked Foreign Minister Upendra Yadhav to visit China for two days beginning 7 April.
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Maoist-led government decides to ban strikes

Kathmandu, 19 March: Maoists were swept to power through extended and prolonged strikes, but the Maoist-led government Thursday decided to ban strikes along highways, industries, hospitals, educational institutions and hydro power plants.
Minister Deb Gurung disclosed this Thursday after a cabinet decision.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

‘Instead of suggestions for a new constitution, complaints were centered around personal problems.”

(Communist leader and lawmaker Chitra Bahadur KC, Kantipur, 19 March)