STRONG QUAKE ROCKS KANGCHENJUNGA AREAg

STRONG QUAKE JOLTS TAPLEJUNG

Kathmandu, 3 June: A powerful measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale
was recorded Friday morning with its epicenter around Mount Kangchenjunga in Taplejung district bordering Darjeeling in the Indian state of West Bengal and Tibet.
No immediate report of damage has been received.
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FOUR TEAMS WILL RECORD PREFERENCES OF 19,000 MAOIST FORMER FIGHTERS FOR RESETTLEMENT,INTEGRATION

Kathmandu, 3 June The first meeting of a special committee for the integration, resettlement and supervision of 19,000 plus Maoist combatants following Sunday’s five-point agreement decided Thursday to sent a 120-member survey team to cantonment and satellite camps to profile of fighters and record their interests.
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal
Four teams will be sent to seven cantonments and 21 satellite camps ‘immediately’ for a fresh headcount and complete task in two months.
The fighters have to be separated into groups for integration, resettlement and voluntary retirement.
The next committee meeting will discuss a schedule for resettlement and integration, according to Maoist member of the committee Barsha Man Pun.
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BRITISH CONCERN FOR PLANNED AMNESTY FOR RIGHTS VIOLATORS

Kathmandu, 3 June: British Ambassador John. A Tucknott Thursday expressed concern over government’s planned amnesty for rights violators during the 10-year Maoist insurgency.
He was speaking at a programme organized by the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) discussing a National Report of the Review of Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
“I would like to hear what concrete steps the government is taking to end impunity,” Tucknott said.
.‘They [rights violations] must be dealt with in the criminal justice system. Will the government make public commitment that the commissions will meet Nepal’s obligations under international law, especially with regards to amnesty provisions,” he added while speaking on behalf of EU member states, Norway and Switzerland.
The British ambassador made the comments amid Maoist claims a 12-point comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) between seven parliamentary parties and Maoist rebels ending the insurgency disallows persecution of persons for rights violations during the war.
‘In our view this is based on a mistaken and distorted interpretation of the CPA. We urge you to ensure that police investigations and criminal cases are allowed to proceed without political interference.:
Government is planning to amnesty Agni Sapkota, who has been appointed minister for communication.
Sapkota is accused abducting and killing Arjun Lama during the war.
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