JANAKPUR CLOSED DOWN; OTHER DETAILS By Bhola B Rana Kathmandu, 1 May: Enraged people Tuesday closed down Janakpur where five perons were killed and 30 were injured in a powerful bomb blast targeting people demanding Mithila Rajya Monday. The demand was sidelined by Maoists and Madeshmorcha also in government with Maoists ; themorcha is ldemanding One Madesh and One Pradesh. One day before the blast, NSP Chairman Rajndra Mahoto threatened in the birthplace of Sita that protests of Tithini Rajya would be exposed. A stage was bombed on the third day of protests of the Mithila Rajya byTerai Mukti mOrcha (Rajan Group). A parked motorcycle exploded causing the worst carnage during demands for la federation embarassing political parties that have been demanding seven to 12 states by in a new fedral structure o replace a unitary state. Fourteen of the seriously are undergoing treatment at TU Teaching in the capital; President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, who hails from Janakpur visited the injured at hospital. Demands have been made for a judicial prove into the blast, compensation and arrest of the culprits. Motorcycle owner Jaya Prakash Chaudhary was immediately arrested as he parked his motorcycle before the blast. The Kathmandu Post Adds: Various political parties and organisations have condemned the Janakpur bomb blast in which four innocent persons were killed. They have expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives and wished for an early recovery of those injured. In a press statement, the Nepali Congress (NC) has strongly condemned the “cowardice and inhumane incident carried out by criminal group. The party has demanded the government hunt down the criminals involved in the incident as soon as possible and bring them to justice. Furthermore, the NC has also demanded the government ensure the security of the general public; provide compensation to the next of kin of those deceased in the blast and medical treatment to injured. NC leader Bimalendra Nidhi expressed his deep sadness over the incident and demanded stern action against the “criminals” behind the blast. He has demanded the government form a commission to look into the incident, declare those killed as martyrs and make arrangement for treatment of those injured. Four persons were killed and eight others injured when a bomb went off at Ramanand Chowk of Janakpur. FNJ draws attention Meanwhile, Federation of Nepali Journalist (FNJ) drew the attention of political parties towards the blast saying that it was carried out taking advantage of political fluidity. The umbrella body of journalists remarked that the parties, who are engaged in the disputes on the contents of the new constitution, should learn a lesson from the incident. The FNJ has urged the parties to work seriously to forge consensus and maintain the rule of law in the country by promulgating the new constitution at the earliest. In a statement today, FNJ General Secretary Om Sharma demanded compensation for the family of the victims. He also called for the identification and punishment to the guilty in the act of terror. Likewise, the FNJ has expressed condolences to all those affected by the Janakpur blast and wished for early recovery of FNJ member Ashok Dutta, who was injured in the incident. Nnnn TWO KILLED, 20 INJURED IN PALPA BUS ACCIDENT Kathmandu, 1 May: Two passengers were killed and at least 20others were injured in a bus accident Tuesday morning at Lamdanda in Palpa in the Siddhartha Highway. Anil Karki of Gairgaun, Tansen, and bus assistant driver Deepak Lama of Bhairahawa, Rwer killed, police said. The bus was proceeding to Butwal from Tansen. Nnnn FIRE DESTROYS 55 HOUSES IN SUNSARI Kathmandu, 1 May: Fifty-five houses of 20 families were destroyed by a fire that started overnight at 11.30 at Bhautaha in SUnsari. Firefighters brought the fire under control in five hours . Initial damage is estimated at Rs 15 million. There were no human casualties but 15 domestic animals perished. Fires are raging in the hills and terai during the current dry spell ahead of monsoon. Nnnn