Nation-wide strike disrupts life

Kathmandu, 17 Aug.: A nation wide-strike called by Samyukta Loktantrik Party demanding promulgation of a delayed constitution disrupted life in the country Wednesday.
The party also called for formation of an all-Jatiiya party.
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US official Atul Keshap in town
Kathmandu, 18 Aug.: Atul Keshap, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, arrived in Kathmandu Tuesday for a three-day visit., the US embassy said.
Keshap is concurrently serving as the Director of the Office of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Maldives Affairs at the Department of State, where he manages foreign policy coordination for the six countries. During this familiarization tour, he will meet with government officials to discuss a range of bilateral issues.
He will meet with U.S. embassy staff and visit NGOs involved in combating trafficking in persons, an issue of key concern to the United States. He will also look at international and Nepali efforts to support Bhutanese and Tibetan refugees in Nepal. This is Mr. Keshap’s first visit to Nepal as Director..
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Verdict in presidential action

Kathmandu, 18 Aug.:; The Supreme Court has scheduled its verdict on President Dr Ram Baran Yadav’s move reinstating the then chief of Army staff Rookmangud Katawal on September 23, The Himalayan Times reports.

Following completion of hearing today, a special bench of Justices Top Bahadur Magar and Mohan Prakash Sitaula scheduled the date of the verdict, which will decide on the constitutionality of the president’s move.

Stating that the case should be decided by the full bench, a division bench of Justices Damodar Prasad Sharma and Rajendra Prasad Koirala had referred the case to the larger bench. The bench has directed lawyers on both sides to submit their written arguments by September 5.

The apex court had initiated the case responding to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed at the SC challenging the president’s order to the then CoAs Katawal to hold the post even after the government led by former PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal had sacked him in April 2009. Advocates Shreekrishna Subedi and Ram Krishna Kafle of the International Institute for Human Rights, Environment and Development had moved SC challenging the president’s move.

Around four dozen advocates have argued the case.
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