UPDATE REGMI ATTENDS MEETING CONVENED BY BIG FOUR Kathmandu, 16 March: Chairman Khil Raj Regmi of Interim Election Council participated in the meeting of the four major four political forces which launched the mechanism. RSS adds: Spokesperson of the Unified CPN-Maoist, Agni Prasad Sapkota, has said that the major parties have forged political consensus to hold election by the third week of June this year. Talking to journalists in the regular meeting with journalists today, Spokesperson Sapkota said the latest consensus made by the major political parties was politically significant and it has led the nation towards the fresh Constituent Assembly (CA) election. UCPN-Maoist leader Sapkota said the election was inevitable to the nation and the Interim Election Council was formed for the same purpose. He expressed his hope that the election would lead the nation towards a new political direction holding fair and credible election. Leader Sapkota said all political parties have agreed to hold CA election to hold election on June 21, 2013, adding that, gradually the nation has moved towards the election environment. "The current government would make appointments to the Election Commission, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, and the Election Commission, among other constitutional bodies. The government would make necessary arrangements for the election in a few days as per the political consensus." UCPN-Maoist Spokesperson Sapkota said his party was prepared for the election and the Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML, and the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), among other parties were also prepared for it and have mobilized their party leaders and cadres. He expressed the hope that some political parties, which have been protesting the formation of the election government, too, would soon join the election process. Responding to journalists' query regarding the fringe parties' objection to the political consensus signed between the major political powers, Sapkota said, "The fringe parties have complained that they were not included in the consensus process and protested the recent agreement but all problems would be resolved once the all-party meeting was held. It is not a big problem." He claimed that his party was one with the agendas raised by the public and that the UCPN-Maoist and all the progressive forces would be elected in the CA election. On a different note, he said senior leaders of the major political parties would lead the high level political mechanism as per the recent agreement. The government would constitute the Truth and Reconciliation Commission within a few days as the spirit of the commission was reconciliation. Nnnn FOREIGN MEDALLING RAMPANT SAYS NC LEADER Kathmandu, 16 March: Nepali Congress central member Dr Shekhar Koirala has said that foreign meddling was high in the country, RSS writes. . Addressing the seventh district convention of Nepal Financial Institution Employees' Association in the capital on Saturday, leader Koirala said the latest political activities and scenario in Nepal has weakened nationality, putting democracy in peril. Unity among the nationalist forces was a must to strengthen nationality and democracy, he said, adding that the principle of separation of powers has a great value in democratic system to protect the achievements of people's movements. Incumbent executive chief Khil Raj Regmi should resign from the post of Chief Justice and thereby ensure free election. Nepali Congress Kathmandu district president Bhimsen Das Pradhan wished for the success of the convention. He stressed the need of holding fresh election as quickly as possible to resolve political and constitutional complexities in the country. Association Kathmandu District President Rammani Adhikari said the role of financial sector was significant to push the country towards economic development. Nnnn BIRD FLU ALERT IN MORANG Kathmandu, 16 March: A high alert has been adopted in Morang against bird flu hazard, owing to an outbreak of avian influenza (H5N1) in Indian border district, Purniya of Bihar, RSS reports from Biratnagar. According to the regional livestock quarantine office Biratnagar, import of poultry and poultry products, feeds and vaccine from India has been banned in the district, bearing in mind the possibility of bird flu outbreak. The bird flu virus was detected in chickens at a Madhuwani-based poultry farm at Lankatole few days back. Security bodies in Morang and Sunsari, local administrations, customs offices, traders and livestock quarantine offices have been alerted on the possibility of bird flu outbreak in the districts. Surveillance at border areas has been increased to check the illegal import of fowls and fowl-related products, office chief Dr Ram Sharan Saha Nnnn