SHARAT SINGH BHANDARI LAUNCHES RASHTRIYA SAMJADI PARTY (RMSP) PARTY THURSDAY Kathmandu, 28 June: Sharat Singh Bhandari formally launches Rashtriya Madesh Samajbadi Party Thursday in the capital after a two-day national conference. Bhandarii was expelled from MJFL of Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar for anti-party activities/ Bhandari is the first Pahadi to lead a terai-based Madeshi party. Nnnn INDIAN ARMY CHIEF ARRIVES 10 JULY Kathmandu, 28 June: Newly appointed Indian Army Chief Gen. Bikram Singh arrives 10 July for a four-day visit, Nepal Army Spokesman Ramindra Chhetri said. The visit reflects the good bilateral relations. Gen. Singh will be conferred hnourary rank of general of Nepal Army. Nepal army chiefs are also awarded the same rank in the Indian army when bilateral ties are good. nnnn FORMER CUSTOMS OFFICIAL CONVICTED BY SC Kathmandu, 28 June: Former Chief of Mechi Customs Office Keshar Jung Khadka was sentenced to nine-month jail term by a two-judge supreme court (SC) Wednesday and confiscation if assets worth Rs. 3.2 million. The SC overturned a decision of April 2005 overturning the decision. Khadka, who has completed four months of the sentence was charged by CIAA. for possession of wealth disproportionate to his income. nnnn