FORMER HOME MINISTER RAWAL DENIES INVOLVEMENT IN SUDAN SCAM

PRACHANDA SUB-COMMITTEE DISCUSSES STATE RESTRUCTURING UPDATE

Kathmandu, 10 June: Maoist Chairman Prachanda-led committee to sort out differences on topics to be incorporated in a proposed constitution decided Friday to discuss the ‘serious’ issue of state restructuring at the ‘political level’ between parties, main opposition NC Vice-President Ram Chandra Paudel said.
Paudel chaired the sub-committee meeting in the absence of Prachanda.
There are 78 differences on the issue.
The constituent assembly secretariat was empowered to draw up a detailed report for discussion.
The sub-committee will again discuss state restructuring after ‘broad discussions’ at the political level, Paudel said.
The sub-committee couldn’t discuss appoint of a task force to study in detail differences on themes in the absence of Chairman Prachanda,
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INDUSTRY MINISTRY OPTS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST GAS COMPANY

Kathmandu, 10 June: In a belated action, a meeting of the industry ministry chaired by Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara decided to pursue action Sugam Gas Industry in based in east Nepal.
The company has been charged for tampering with hundreds of gas cylinders endangering lives of customers.
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FORMER HOME MINISTER RAWAL SAYS HE’S INNOCENT

Kathmandu, 10 June: Former Home Minister Bhim Rawal Friday denied he was involved ‘directly or indirectly’ in the multi-million rupee Sudan scam
He came to the rescue of other colleagues and home secretaries claiming home ministers and secretaries aren’t responsible for police decisions.
The defense comes after claims multi-million rupee purchase of in police aren’t possible without approval of the home minister and home secretary.
Ram Man Dhakal, member of parliament’ state affairs committee claimed the committee during its long investigation had suggested possible involvement of former home ministers and home secretaries and recommended action.
But only 34 police officers and two suppliers have been charged by CIAA for supplying sub-standard armed personnel carriers to police peacekeepers with UN in Sudan. Endangering their lives.
Dhakal said CIAA can’t be summoned by his committee after a case has been registered at the special court.
“A SP can’t be transferred without the approval of the home minister and home secretary. How can anybody believe that home ministers and home secretaries weren’t involved?” he asked.
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NC DISTRICT PRESIDENT MEET STARTS SATURDAY

Kathmandu, 10 June: A two-day meeting of main opposition NC district president starts in Dhulikhel, Kavre, Saturday to discuss party strategy in its dealings with the communist majority government, the controversial five-point agreement extending the tenure of the constituent assembly (CA) by another three months after 28 May and other issues.
Altogether 160 delegates are participating, including central leaders, organizers said.
There are 75 district presidents.
The district presidents will discuss party strategy amid criticism in the party over diluting demands for meeting 10-point demand as preconditions to extend a tenure of the (CA) for three more months after 28 May.
The party had been demanding immediate dissolution of the communist-majority government of Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal supported by Maoists.
Khanal is refusing to resign until an environment is created for formation of a national government to avoid a political void.
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FIVE NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO NSC

Kath,andu, 10 June: Five members were appointes to the Nationalports Cocil (NSC) Friday by the cabinet.
India Bahadur Singh, Kusuma Shrestha, Mukunda Bahadur Pahadi and Pahal Singh Gharti Magar were among those nominated following a change of government in February.
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COMMUNICATION MINISTER AGNI SAPKOTA FILES CONTEMPT OF COURT CHARGE AGAINST JOURNALIST, CIVIL SOCIETY ACTIVIST

Kathmandu, 10 June: Maoist Communication Minister Agni Sapkota Friday filed a contempt of court charge against journalist and ‘civil society’ activist Kanak Mani Dixit at the supreme court.
Sapkota charged Dixit for attempt to influence a decision of the apex court by penning an article in a vernacular newspaper even after registering a case at the court for his recall from government for rights abuses during a 10-year Maoist insurgency.
Lawyer on behalf of Sapkota filed the case against Dixit for publishing an article regarding his appointment on June 7 in Nagarik even while supreme court was hearing a complaint against him.
Sapkota has sought Rs. 10,000 in damage and a one year prison term of Dixit.

The minister is being investigated for the abduction and murder of Arjun Lama
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10 MORE INDIAN POLICEMEN KILLED BY NAXALS OR MAOISTS
Kathmandu, 10 June: At least 10 policemen were killed in an explosion of a landmine laid by Naxals or Indian Maoists at Datebada district in Chattishgadh, radio reports said Friday night.
Four were seriously injured.
Fresh police casualties come immediately after five policemen were killed in another landmine explosion triggers by Naxals.
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LOST JAPANESE WOMAN IN NEPAL HIMALAYA SURVIVES EATING GRASS, BAMBOO

Kathmandu, 10 June : A Japanese woman who was lost in Nepal´s mountains for nearly two weeks said Friday that she survived by eating grass, drinking river water, taking shelter in small caves and praying, AP reports from Kathmandu.

Makiko Iwafuchi, 49, of Chiba, said she left her hotel May 25 for a short stroll near the Goshainkunda lake. She left the main trail and could not find it again.

She said she walked for days but was unable to find the trail or come in contact with any villagers until Tuesday, when she heard voices.

"I screamed, saying, ´Hello! Please help me!´" she told reporters after returning to Katmandu on Friday. "It was a miracle. I felt at ease and thanked God."

Aside from some visible insect bites, she appeared to be fine three days after her ordeal about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Katmandu, at an elevation of more than 14,000 feet (4,300 meters).

Iwafuchi said that when she got lost roughly 1,600 feet (500 meters) from the trail, she waited for help in the area for two days. When no one came, she decided to search for a way back.

The local police and soldiers had begun a search a day after she went missing, but they found no trace of her.

She said she walked from dawn to dusk for days, eating grass and bamboo and drinking river water. She took shelter in small caves on the mountain and under rocks, covering herself with leaves.

"The weather was not cold. It only drizzled a few days," she said, though she added that one night she did get soaked when she had only a tree to protect her from the rain.

"I knew there were not dangerous animals in the area, so I was safe," Iwafuchi said.

"I prayed if I survive I will change. I will be kind to people and more generous. There was a couple of times that I feared I will not survive, but I still believed that God will give me a second chance," she said.

After Iwafuchi was found, she was carried to the local hospital. She said doctors treated her blistered toes but found her to be in good health otherwise.

Iwafuchi plans to continue trekking, but not by herself.

Separately, not far from where Iwafuchi got lost, rescuers in Nepal removed the body of a Japanese woman who died in an avalanche while trying to scale the 19,172-foot-high (5,844-meter-high) Naya Kanga peak in Rashuwa district.

The body of 63-year-old Masue Yoshida was flown by helicopter to Katmandu on Friday and taken to a hospital, where relatives and representatives from the Japanese Embassy received the body.

The avalanche struck Yoshida and her Nepali trekking guide Saturday, killing them both. Rescuers have not yet found the body of the guide.
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