RULING PARTY MJFL CLOSES DOWN TERAI Kathmandu,14 May: Ruling party MJFL of Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar closed down the tarai opposing anti-federal protests for one day pushing five demands with 13 other groups. Gachedhar is the second ranking person the government of Prime Minister Baburam Bhattari holding the security portfolios of home and defence ministries and he hails from the Tharu community. The deputy prime minister his party joined street protests as he rebuked police for opening fire on demonstrators during anti-federal protests. Protests of the far-West demanding a greater region with nine districts entered its 18th day Monday. Talks didn’t resume between government and negotiators of the region Sunday to end the prolonged closure. Nnnn PRACHANDA SUB-COMMITTEE AMENDING QUESTIONS ON CONSTITUTION Kathmandu, 14 May: A Prachanda-sub committee reconciling differences on themes for incorporation in a constitution by 27 May is re-drafting questions on articles to be put to vote in a constituent assembly (CA) which will meet Monday for adoption of a constitution. The process is being adopted even as a constitution won’t be promulgated in the remaining 13 days under normal circumstances. Speculation mounts on what how the situation will be handled after 27 May with Political Aide Dipbendra Paudel revealing CA won’t be dissolved without promulgation of a basic law by the assembly. The political aide of the Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai revealed his boss was working along such lines even as the supreme court ruled the only option for government was to go for a referendum or adopt other means if a basic law isn’t adopted by the May deadline. A list of 30 questions was sent back to the Prachanda committee for re-drafting by the main constitution committee Sunday after objections on 30 themes by drafting committee members. Nnnn MOHAN BAIDHAYA GROUP SUBMITTING SIGNATURES TO CA CHAIRMAN Kathmandu, 14 May: Rebel Mohan Baidhaya faction in ruling UCPN (Maoist) Monday is submitting to CA Chairman Subash Nemwang signatures collected during a month-long anti-government campaign with 12 other splinter groups for its version of peace and constitution. The rebel Maoist group charges establishment for preparing to impose anti-people constitution as the party is deeply divided with predictions of a split. Nnnn POLICEMAN SHOOTS HIMSELF Kathmandu, 14 May: Policeman Bhakta Bahadur Shrestha shot himself dead with his own service pistol Monday morning while on duty in Sunsari. The reason for the suicide wasn’t known. Nnnn CABINET RELEASING ANOTHER TRANCHE OF RS.2.1 MILLION FOR NOC Kathmandu, 14 May: Cabinet Monday is issuing another Rs.2.1 million to Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) for imports of POL products from India through Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). IOC had cut down of exports to Nepal after NOC delay in settling oil bills. nnnn