Biratnagar tense ahead of Friday’s by-elections (BREAKING NEWS)

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 9 April: Twelve persons, including two policemen were injured following clashes with rival Maoist parties and shootings Thursday ahead of crucial by-elections in six parliamentary constituencies Friday.
Clashes erupted between began ruling Unified CPN (Maoist) and rebel CPN (Maoist) led by former minister Matrika Prasad Yadav who defected and the party.
Rebel Maoists overnight smashed a vehicle of Unified CPN-Maoist charging the ruling party for violating an election code of conduct even after campaigning ended Wednesday.
This triggered the clashes.
Both parties are contesting the elections.
Two sections of the industrial town have been declared prohibited areas.
A rebel terai group calling itself Akhil Terai Mukti Morcha has announced a three-day strike in the south from Thursday to disturb the vote.
Election Commission has asked UNMIN to ensure Maoist combatants in cantonments and satellite camps don’t come out to held Maoist candidates to ensure a peace and free vote.
Indo-Nepal border in three terai districts were elections are being held have been sealed.
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Another murder in the terai

Kathmandu, 9 April: The dead body of a teacher of terai origin was found in Siraha.
The man has been identified as Gaya Prasad Yadav.
Silent Virus Killers claimed responsibility.
In continuing violence, a man was shot land injured in Dhanusha.
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Meeting of divisions of Nepal called

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 9 April: Army headquarters has called a sudden meetings of division chiefs after a growing rife beginning with the recruitment of soldiers and now the boycott of the 5th national games, Dipak Rijal reports in Nepal Samacharpatra.
After a growing rift between government and the army, a heated national political debate has started.
The two-day meeting will begin 12 April.
The newspaper quoting an unnamed army source said the meeting has been convened to develop a common concept after Maoist attempts to weaken the army.
Six division chiefs are participating.
“The nation is towards a serious direction. The Nepal Army is watching the development closely,” an unidentified person said,
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Supreme court quashes an earlier order

Kathmandu, 9 April: A special two-man bench of the supreme court quashed an order of Anup Raj Sharma that now paves the way for the constitutional council to appoint persons to vacancies in constitutional bodies.
The earlier decision had asked the council to stop appointments.
Sudip Paudel had filed a writ arguing the council was working on rules of a regulation and not an act.
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MEDIA WATCH

“The idea of a ‘baby king’ seems to have grown out of is infancy. Former king Gyanendra, news reports suggest, has begun consultations on how to formalize the restoration of the monarchy. This came days after former crown prince Paras all but renounced his claim to a reinstated throne. Former prince Hridayendra may find the crown thrust on his head long before really having set his heart on it.”

(Maila Baje, The People’s Review, 9 April)

“If I am appointed to the post [Ambassador to Great Britain],, I will take initiatives to import nuclear rods for power generation with support from the UK and the US. This move can address the power crisis to some extent.)

(Ambassador-designate Ramswarth Raya, The Kathmandu Post, 9 April)

“Have we committed any mistake staying in the government? UML won’t pull out from the government as it is guided by people’s wishes. If the Maoists want to, they may.”

(Jhalanath Khanal, The Rising Nepal, 9 April)
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