NO NEPALI CASUALTIES REPORTED FROM JAPAN

NO NEPALI CASUALTIES REPORTES TO FAR IN JAPAN

Kathmandu, 12 March: Foreign ministry officials, quoting Nepali embassy in Tokyo, said Saturday it has received no reports of Nepali casualties in Japan’s strongest earthquake in 140 years.
Families at home of loved ones in Japan were concerned with poor communications following the severe jolt.
At least 1,000 are confirmed dead and 500 are missing.
Thousands of Nepalis work or studying in Japan.
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MAOIST TRADE UNION SPLITS INTO THREE FACTIONS

Kathmandu, 12 March: Maoist trade union—All Nepal Trade Union Federation—has split into three factions loyal to three top party leaders, Chairman Prachanda, Vice-chairman Kiran Baidya and another Vice-chairman Dr. Baburam Bhattarai.
A group led by Laldhoj Nemwang, deputy general Secretary of the Federation and loyal to Bhattarai, formed a 175-member central pressure group Friday.
One group is led by Federation Chairman Salikram Jammarkatel loyal to the party chairman and Badri Bajgain leads a group supported by Baidya.
The Bajgain group has charged Jammarkatel of siding with management against workers’ interest.
Maoist trade union this week closed down industries indefinitely at Hetauta Industrial Estate, including multi-national companies; a one-day strike was also called by Maoist teachers demanding implementation of past accord with government for higher salary and perks.
Management has rejected the demands.
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