Maoists, MJF take early lead in parliamentary by-election

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 11 Maoist: Maoist and MJF candidates took early lead in Friday’s parliamentary elections as their candidates were elected from Kanchanpur and Morang.
Harish Thakulla was elected from a constituency defeating his nearest Nepali Congress rival Yagya Raj Joshi; She Bahadur Deuba vacated the seat after being elected from two constituencies in the 10 April 2008 constituent assembly elections.
MJF retained a Morang constituency where Jaya Ram Yadav was elected from Morang-5 defeating his nearest Maoist rival Shib Kumar Mandal
The seat was vacated by Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar.
Elections were held Friday in six parliamentary constituencies through electronic voting.
Vote counting continues in three other constituencies; counting of votes in
Rolpa where Prime Minister Prachanda vacated a seat begins only later Saturday afternoon.
Elections for six constituencies in five terai and hill districts were held Friday.
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Rishi Dhamala freed

Kathmandu, 11 April: Chairman of Reporters Club Rishi Dhamala Saturday said his arrest was part of a ‘state attack against an independent’ press without identifying the organ.
“My arrest in an organized plot against an independent press,” Dhamala said claiming he was innocent,
Patan appellate court Friday ordered Dhamala’s; the decision hasn’t been executed yet..
Dhamala was arrested and charged more than two months ago for extortion and attempted murder and charged forlinks with Ranabir Sena, a group calling for a Hindu state.
But the court upheld the arrest of three other journalists Ram Suvak Mahoti, Manoj Kumar Mahotoi and Birendra Kumar Mehata charged for decision


CPN-UML charges Maoists for protecting Sujit

Kathmandu, 11 April: The first standing committee of CPN-UML of CPN-UML Friday charged Maoists for protesting Sujit BK who they charged for killing their party youth activist in Butwal.
CPN-UML has been boycotting cabinet and obstructing sessions of parliament demanding arrest and prosecution of BK.
CPN-UML took the decision even as parliament is scheduled to meet Saturday.
CA Chairman Subash Nemwang held discussions with whips of major parties in an attempt to discuss smooth running of parliamentary proceedings stalled from 29 March.
National Human Rights Commission has denied a Maoist claim BK fled from the commission office where he was being delivered by the party.
Major political parties have agreed to amend parliamentary procedure rules to prolong the winter session that ends 13 April, Annapurna Post reports.
The rule says winter sessions at the end of Chitra. Nnnn

Jwala Singh activist killed in police action

Kathmandu, 11 April: Jwala Singh group activist Parshuram Kori was shot and killed in a police action in Banke Friday night.
An exchange of gunfire lasted for 30 minutes at Shibapur village of Bethani.
A gun, pistol, socket bombs and ammunition were recovered.
Kashim Bahadur Thinka, 14, was shot dead Friday night in Bara by an unknown group in continuing violence in teari.
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PM visiting China in the first week of May

Kathmandu, 11 April: Prime Minister Prachanda is visiting China for a week in the first week of May, Kantipur reports.
Dates were proposed to visiting Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav in Beijing.
“A meeting with the president and prime minister has been scheduled on 6,7 May,” the newspaper said quoting a foreign ministry official.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Government hasn’t been able to work properly because of its coalition character.”

(PM Prachanda, Kantipur, 11 April)
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