92 WOMEN CHARGED FOR WITCHCRAFT IN ONE YEAR

92 WOMEN CHARGED FOR WITCHCRAFT IN ONE YEAR
Kathmandu, 24 March: Violence has been reported in the name of witchcraft in the country upon 92 women in one year since last April, RSS reports.

Eyes were pierced on the charge of witchcraft over two women in Kathmandu recently less than one month of Dhenganidevi Mahato killed in Madi of Chitwan on the charge of practicing witchcraft.

The incidents are increasing even as Supreme Court had given verdict for formulation of effective laws and their implementation and increasing social awareness.

Programme Officer of Women Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC) Sanjita Timalsina says the state should take effective steps to control such incidents. The Committee for Elimination of Discrimination against Women has also presented suggestions for ending gender violence.
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GIRL STUDENT EXPELLED FOR IRREGULATITY DURING SLC EXAM DIES
Kathmandu, 24 March:: An SLC examinee, who was expelled from the exam centre, died while undergoing treatment in the district last night [Friday], RSS reports from Rukum.

Ardana Pun (17) hailing from Rokadanda of Chunwang-7 was expelled from the exam hall for misconduct during the mathematics exam at Jhulkhet Exam Centre.

She fell unconscious immediately after being expelled.

Public Health Officer Shiva Narayan Rajak involved in the treatment said although Pun's health was improved slightly, it deteriorated badly afterward.

The hospital sources claimed that Pun died of severe stress.

She was the student at Nepal National Higher Secondary School, Chunwang.
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MINISTER RULES OUT IMMEDIATE LOCAL ELECTIONS
Kathmandu, 24 March: Minister for Local Development, Top Bahadur Rayamajhi has said the election in the local body was impossible
before May 27, RS reports from Bhaktapur..

At a programme organised by the Star Media Network at Lokanthali here today, Minister Rayamajhi said it would be judicious to hold local body election after observing the situation following the promulgation of the constitution.

If the local body election is held now, parties' attention would deviate from the peace and constitution writing process.

However, for the immediate purpose, a mechanism would be set up in the local body soon as the political discussion was underway on the mechanism, he added.

At the programme, Minister Rayamajhi awarded various persons for their contribution in society.
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INDIAN MAOISTS CAPTURE POLITICIAN DURING TALKS TO FREE
ITALIAN HOSTAGES
Kathmandu, 24 March: Maoist rebels kidnapped an Indian politician on Saturday, police said, a move that could upset talks over the release of two Italian hostages held by left-wing fighters in the same eastern state of Orissa, Reuters reports from
Bhuwaneshwor .

A large group of armed men stopped Orissa state lawmaker Jhina Hikaka, 37, as he was being driven through a hilly area 500 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar early on Saturday.

"They took him hostage but left the driver and the bodyguard," police officer Suryamani Pradhan told Reuters. "We are awaiting further details."

Pradhan said the rebels left a leaflet on Hikaka's car listing the same 13 demands set for the release of Italians Paolo Bosusco and Claudio Colangelo, taken hostage last week in what is believed to be the first time the rebels have targeted foreigners.

It was not clear if the politician was kidnapped by the same wing of the Maoists. Saturday's kidnapping took place in a different region of the state.

Two rebel-appointed negotiators talked with government officials until late on Friday about the Italians, and talks were due to continue on Saturday.

Although the rebels declared a unilateral ceasefire during negotiations, the government said they shot dead a police sub-inspector in the Maoist stronghold district of Malkangiri on Thursday, the day talks started.

"The Maoists should desist from their continued violence," state chief minister Naveen Patnaik said late on Friday.

Also known as Naxals, the rebels have fought a decades-long war against the government in a wide swathe of central India. They say they are fighting for the poor and landless, and they often back farmers in land disputes with big business.

The government calls them India's main internal security threat, and an obstacle to higher growth and more jobs in Asia's third-largest economy. Hundreds die annually in the conflict, although levels of violence have fallen in recent years.
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