GOVT. SUSPENDS FOUR QUARANTINE OFFICIALS Kathmandu, 17 Dec.: Government suspended four quarantine officials after investigation started for involvement in permitting into the country banned chicken meat Saturday overland from India. They were suspended for two months The consignment belonged to international chain KFC that runs two outlets in the capital. Ministry of Agriculture Development, Dr Mohan Dev Lekhak, Munni Lal Chaudhary, Dr Hare Ram Yadav and Dr Dayaram Chapagain of National Avian Laboratory, Chitwan Other officers were assigned to the capital and entry point on the birder Birgung. Import was banned after bird flu epidemic. . Nnnn HASH SEIZED Kathmandu, 17 Dec.: : Police seized a huge quantity of marijuana and powder used to make hashish from Paterwa Sugauli VDC in Parsa district on Monday, RSS reports from Birgunj.. According to the District Police Office, Parsa, police seized 2.5 quintals marijuana and 50 grams powder, used to make hashish, while carrying out a raid at three houses at Paterwa Sugauli VDC-3. A joint team of the Armed Police Force and Nepal Police seized the marijuana. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Rajendra Bista, said the police team found the marijuana hidden in a hay stack at the farm behind the house. DISQUALIFIED FORMER PLA FIGHTERS CONTNUE SIT-IN AT MAOIST PARTY HEADQUARTERS Kathmanu, 17 Dec : The disqualified of former People´s Liberation Army (PLA) have continued their protest at the UCPN (Maoist) party office at Parisdana on Monday also, putting forth a 14-pint demand, RSS reports.. The former PLAs who were discharged from the cantonments after being disqualified during the verification have been staging a sit-in in front of the party central office since November 28, citing that they have been unable to manage two square meals, following poor economic condition. According to struggle committee coordinator, Lenin Bista, the former PLAs who were discharged from the cantonments with a tag of ´disqualified´ are compelled to take onetime meal due to their degrading economic condition. The former PLAs are calling for removal of the ´disqualified´ tag, letter of appreciation with respectful evaluation to them, lump sum financial package equivalent to the combatants opting for voluntary retirement, and 25 per cent reserve quota for the discharged PLAs in every state apparatus. Around 500 former PLAs including 30-35 couples with children have joined the protest. According to Bista, health condition of women and children is worsening due to the biting cold and their treatment has been difficult. Nnnn ________________________________________