ONE PERSON KILLED IN CHOPPER CRASH Kathmandu, 19 June: Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN)' Humla Chief Tek Bahadur Patali died Wednesday in the Fishtail Air crash in Humla, police said. Three others, including the Rissian pinot [not Italian as earlier reported] were injured. Govinda Lama, Dilok Shrestha and Russian pilot David were injured. have been sent to Simikot Hospital for treatment Two others onboard were safe. . nnnn COUPLE SHOT IN MOHOTTARI Kathmandu, 19 June:: Two persons were seriously injured when an armed group opened fire against locals for allegedly defying the bandh in the district on Wednesday, RSS reports from Mphottari. Abhaya Singh and his wife Sonam hailed from Manara sustained serious bullet injuries when they were shot at by an armed group at a bridge located in between Manara and Ekdara, according to Superintendent of Police at the Armed Police Border Security Office, Mahottari, Kumar Neupane. They are undergoing treatment at the District Hospital, Jaleswor and their condition is reported to be critical. Meanwhile, the Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Party (Rajan Mukti group) has taken responsibility of the shootout. nnnn ELECTION ATMOSPHERE DISCUSSED Kathmandu, 19 June: The Election Commission (EC) organized a discussion with six political parties at the Commission on Wednesday to 'facilitate the atmosphere' for elections, RSS reports.. Senior leaders of CPN-UML, Nepali Congress, UCPN–Maoist , Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, Madheshi Janadhikar Forum Democratic and Federal Socialist Party Nepal took part in the discussion. The CPN-Maoist, the sixth party invited for the discussion however did not send any representative to the discussion. Talking to reporters following the end of the deliberations, Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhi Prasad Yadav said the EC urged for the parties' support to facilitate an atmosphere conducive to holding the elections on time. He said though the CPN-Maoist party was not represented in the discussion today, it would be invited again. Likewise, NC Vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel said the issuance of the election programme had helped develop an atmosphere for the elections and urged other parties to join the electoral process. UCPN (Maoist) General Secretary Posta Bahadur Bogati said as the election schedule was a bit tight the Commission wished that it does not face any obstruction. "Our party will do its best to facilitate the atmosphere", he added. Bogati also said that the EC shared during the deliberations that 12 million voters had already registered themselves for the elections and the number is expected to reach 15.4 million. Nnnn FORMER KING SAYS HE’LL SUPPORT ACTIVITIES BASED ON LOGIC AND WISDOM Kathmandu, 19 June: At the time when the government is making preparations for fresh Constituent Assembly (CA) election, former king Gyanendra Shah has held the political parties responsible for instability in the country, Suresh Yadav writes in Republica from Janakpur.. Addressing a function organized by Dhanusha Civil Society at Tirhutiya Gachhi, Janakpur, Shah said, “People who clamored for change have lost their track.” He also urged the people not to be intimidated by anyone but to follow their heart. “I will fully support activities based on logic and wisdom,” he said. “No one should boycott anyone, rather people should work toward giving space to others,” Shah said, adding, “I have not still forgotten my responsibilities. I will always dedicate myself to the welfare of the people and my motherland.” He said he was saddened to find that the Nepali people were not happy with the current state of affairs. He also accused the government of being indifferent to the plight of youths who were being forced to migrate due to lack of employment opportunities at home. Priest of the Janaki Temple Ram Tapeshwor Das said the political parties should hand over the state powers to Gyanendra Shah. “Political parties have invited instability and have made matters worse,” he added. Shah stayed at Manaki Hotel in Janakpur. According to sources, Shah will address the people of Mahottari at Jaleshwar after visiting the Jaleshwarnath temple on Thursday. Nnnn