Maoists to challenge president in court

Kathmandu, 4 May: An emergency meeting of the Maoist secretariat decided Monday morning to challenge in a court what it called an unconstitutional decision of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav objecting a unilateral Maoist decision to sack Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal.
Prime Minister Prachanda is addressing the nation at three in the afternoon [09.15 GMT]
Maoists are holding hectic consultations with parties in a bid to retain in power.
A formal decision of the MJF will be crucial.
Inter and intra-parties discussions are being held to from a new government.
Schools remained closed in the capital in fear of violence.
President Dr Yadav, in a letter to the army chief, late Sunday night asked him to continue in office.
The letter addressed to the chief said the president learnt of the Maoist decision to dismiss but asked him to continue; the president said the unilateral Maoist action is unconstitutional.
Eighteen political parties, including Nepali Congress, asked the president to rectify the Maoist decision.
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TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

Tourist arrivals up for first time in four months

Kathmandu, 4 May: Tourist arrivals increased 15.8 percent in fourmonths with 37,819 arrivals in April.
Arrivals has slumped from January after international recession.
Arrivals from Europe and other sian countries increased.
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