THARU STRIKE CLOSES DOWN TERAI DISTRICTS Kathmandu, 7 June: Janajati Mahasangh closed down Tharu dominated terai districts Thursday protesting crackdown on the community during recent ethnic closures ahead of a deadline to promulgate a constitution by a 27 May deadline. The basic law couldn’t be promulgated. The closure has disrupted normal life in the terai districts. Many Tharus were injured during clashes in Nawalparasi. Government provided a one million rupee cash relief to Tharu leader Dhan Bahadur Thanet who died this week while undergoing treatment for injuries during clashes in Nawalparasi. Demands have been made he be declared a martyr. Nnnn TWO YARSHA COLLECTORS KILLED IN DOLPA Kathmandu, 7 June: Two more yarsha or Himalayan Viagra hunters. Including a teenager, were killed in Dolpa. The dead have been identified as Deviram Shahi, 14, Kailo Oli, 26. They fell off a cliff. Thousands of collectors flock to remote Himalayan regions braving cold and difficulties to collect the herb for sale as it fetches high price in urban areas and international market. Nnnn MORE THAT 1,000 MAOIST FORMER PLA FIGHTERS ON HOME LEAVE AFTER UNCERTAINTY Kathmandu, 7 June: Without progress in integration for nearly two months, former combatants who had opted for integration in Nepal Army (NA) have left camps for home, Netra Panthi, Roshan Khadka write in Naya Patrika. More than 1,000 former fighters are on home leave. Maoist camps and weapons have been handed over to NA. Altogether 3,159 combatants have opted for integration. nnnn