CREACDOWN

NEPALI RUPEE SLIPS FURTHER AGAINST DOLLAR UPDATE

Kathmandu, 23 Aug.: The Nepali rupee depreciated further against the uS dollar Friday.

It was trading for Rs.104 to the greenback.

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CIAA CONTNUES CRACKDOWN ON OFFICIALS
Kathmandu, 23 Aug.: CIAA Friday
arrested  13 officials from the Labour Unit of the Foreign Employment
Department and four others from the department’s final approval unit.
 of the same department.
Eighteen personnel of  Immigration Department. Wre also arrested
ntly, five people were arrested from the Immigration Department.

LAMA

BAIDYA SAYS POLITICS HAS TAKEN NEW TURN

Katthmandu, 23 Aug,: Chairman of the CPN-Maoist, Mohan Biadya, has said the country´s politics has taken a new course with the political parties agreeing in principle to hold a round table conference, RSS reports..

Receiving the memorandum submitted by Chairman of Reporters´ Club Nepal at the CPN-Maoist party headquarters in Buddhanagar, Chairman Baidya said that with the agreement for roundtable conference, all the old procedures for the election have ended and a new procedure has begun.

He said, "With the Thursday agreement, the country´s politics has taken a new course. They (leaders of major political parties), too, would not say that the government cannot be changed and election date cannot be deferred."

He claimed that no agreement would be made in the status quo and unless the current government remained. He added that all the problems would be settled by the round table conference.

He said no side could escape from talks and that the national political consensus should be forged finding out positive conclusion through it.

The political parties would forge consensus regarding the procedure of the round table conference and that it would make common concept on the 18-point demand kept by his party and 33-party-alliance.

The CPN-Maoist chairman said the nation should move ahead forging consensus among all parties and sides claiming that the current political crisis was followed by the unilateral behavior of four parties.

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IDIAN ENVOY SAYS GOODBYE TO CHAIRMAN REGMI

Kathmandu, 23 Aug.; Indian Ambassador Jayanta Prasad on Friday paid a

farewell call on Chairman of Interim Election Council of Ministers Khil

Raj Regmi.

They met at Singha Durbar.

Prasad is retiring after concluding his Nepal assignment.

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LAMA ELECTED

Kathmandu, 23 Aug.:  National Sports Council (NSC) Member

Secretary Yuvaraj Lama was Friday elected unanimously  president of

Nepal Equestrian Association..

The first general assembly of the association elected Lama.

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nea

NEPAL, CHINA MEET MONDAY

Kathmandu, 23 Aug, : Foreign Secretary Arjun Bahadur Thapa is leaving for Beijing on Friday evening leading a three-member delegation to attend the 10th Meeting of the Bilateral Consultative Mechanism to be held in Beijing, China, RSS reports.. Secretary Thapa is scheduled to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Mr. Liu Zhenmin, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of China on 26 August. Other members of the delegation include Joint-Secretary Ambika Luintel and Under Secretary Rita Dhital of the Ministry. The meeting will review pertinent issues in Nepal-China relationship and discuss new directions and dimensions of strengthening bilateral ties. In the meeting, a whole gamut of issues relating to bilateral relations and other issues of mutual interest will be discussed. Luintel told RSS that the meeting would also review the implementation part of the agreements of the ninth meeting held in Nepal last year. The Consultation Mechanism is an agreement between Nepal and China to establish regular contact between officials from the Foreign Ministries of both the countries which was set up in 1996 to provide a platform to discuss matters of mutual concern and cooperation. Meetings are held alternately in the capital cities on a mutually agreed date. Both the countries have set up three such mechanisms at the level of Foreign Minister, Foreign Secretary and Director General. During the meeting, discussions would be held on trade and commerce, investments, infrastructure construction and the projects run in Nepal in the Chinese assistance. Similarly, discussions would be held on ways and means to reduce the huge trade deficit with China, expand Nepali products´ market in China and attract Chinese investment in hydropower and tourism sectors and other potential hydel projects. Furthermore, the meeting would review the implementation of the agreements signed during Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi´s visit to Nepal held two months ago. Joint Secretary Luintel said that construction of the Regional International Airport in Pokhara and expediting loan process from Export-Import Bank of China, procurement of aircrafts for Nepal Airlines in concessional loan including grant assistance for two aircraft would also top the agenda for discussions in the meeting. Meanwhile, talking to RSS, Secretary Thapa refuted the news regarding China´s preparations to establish a consulate in Nepal and urged the concerned sides not to disseminate news in an irresponsible fashion. "I urge all to disseminate news by considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the issues," Secretary Thapa said. He was of the view that media should not disseminate news that destabilizes the mutual relations between the two countries.
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NEA ACTING CHIEF

Kathmandu, 23 Aug.:: The government has assigned responsibilities of carrying out the day-to-day functions of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to Laba Bahadur Ghimire so that the daily works at the state-owned power utility are not affected in the wake of the arrest of high ranking officials there on corruption

Charge, RSS reports..

Minister for Energy Umakanta Jha today assigned the responsibility on Deputy Managing Director Ghimire to carry out the functions as the Acting Executive Director.

Ghimire has been given the responsibility of the Acting Executive Director after the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) took 22 high-ranking officials at NEA, including Executive Director Rameshwar Yadav in custody in connection with investigation, spokesperson at the Ministry of Energy Keshav Dhwaj Adhikari told RSS

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MAOIST CHIEF ASSURES MAJORITY FOR PARTY

Kathmandu, 23 Aug : UCPN (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has described the election to the Second Constituent Assembly slated for November 19 as the event that would make historic decision either in favour of the ruling class or the

oppressed castes, RSS reports from Pokljara. .

Declaring open the Third National Convention of the Tamu National Liberation Front Nepal on Friday, he stressed that the Nepalis should give his party a clear majority in the elections for writing a constitution with federalism and federalism with identity.

He said that the voting process would be employed straight away to decide if consensus is not reached on the contentious issues within few days after the CA election for ensuring a new constitution is promulgated.

The UCPN (Maoist) chairman claimed that the country will never get a constitution if it was not made by the Constituent Assembly.

Party leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai said that the First Constituent Assembly was dissolved as some forces did not want to go for identity-based federalism.

Another leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha cautioned the party cadres to be cautious as some forces were conspiring to foil the CA election and push the country towards uncertainty.

He stressed that his party was for federalism with identity alone and called on all to not go after any hearsay being spread against federalism.

Coordinator of the convention organizing committee Bakhat Singh Tamu presided over the programme in which other leaders of the party including Lilamani Pokhrel, Gopal Kiranti, Onsari Gharti and Lokendra Bishta Magar also expressed their views.

The three-day convention brings together 50 representatives and observers of the party from 40 districts,

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ypyp

lil;ed

TWO KILLED IN ACCIDENT
Kathmandu, 23 Aug.: Two persons were killed and 17 others injured Friday
when a truck with passengers overturned at Jarsing Pauwa in the
city outskirt in the east.
Sukra Bahadur Banjam and Mothe Muktan (died, according to police.
The truch was plying between Sankhu and Lapsifedi.
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ESSENTIAL SHORTAGE IN ACCHAM
Kathmandu, 23 Aug,: Locals belonging to distant areas of the district have been hit hard owing to acute shortage of daily consumptive food stuffs, RSS reports from Accham..
The landslide-triggered disruption of local road has caused the short supply of daily essential goods .
The Timilsain- Rama Roshan, Mangalsen-Baligaun and Chaukhute-Siudi road sections have been obstructed for the past couple of months.
Locals of Mujabagae, Darna, Khalgada, Jupu and Chaurpati villages are facing tough time with acute shortage of daily consuming food items. The road sections have been badly damaged, even tractor cannot ply on the road, said Lok Bahadur Rawal, Chairman of the Mugabazaar Management Committee.
About 50,000 people in the localities are said to have deprived of getting cooking oil and salt for the past two weeks.
Though it was frequently reported to the concerned authority, no action has been taken till this date, complained locals.
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SUSPECTED MURDERER OF SCHOOL CHILDREN ARRESTED
Kathmandu, 23 Aug.:  Police have arrested a fugitive who has been in its most wanted list for the murder of two school boys that took place three years ago. The accused is also facing charges of series of other killings in the district, The Rising Nepal reports from Banke..
Police arrested Zia-ul Manihar alias Wakil Darji, who had been involved armed underground activities, collecting forceful ransom, murder and forceful donation drive in the district.
District Police Office, made the arrested Manihar public organizing a press conference today. Manihar is a permanent resident of Indrapur-3, Banke.

Police took it nearly a month to confirm that Manihar was the one placed in the most wanted list of police crime profile as he was concealing his real identify using different names and addresses, said Superintendent of Police Bhupal Singh Bhandari. Initially, he had provided that he was an Indian citizen from Rupadiya.

Later police investigation proved that Manihar was none other than the murderer of a school boy Kapil Duwedi, 15. Dewedi and his school friend Liladhar Bhatta had been abducted and killed by the Manihar and his accomplices even after taking ransom of Rs.1 million.

 Similarly, Manihar and his group had their hand in alleged murder of Ganga Ram Pasi alias Munna Yadav at Indrapur-7 that took place four years ago, said Bhandari. Cases against Manihar would be filed under Abduction and Hostage charge-2033 BS and Drugs and Narcotic charge.

Police had claimed that Manihar was involved in collecting forceful donation of Rs.5 million from Mahendra Shahi of Nepalgunj-1 after taking him to India last year. Shahi was later safely released from the clutches of Manihar group with the help of Indian police.

Eight other accomplices of Manihar are presently passing a combined jail term of 78 years following the Banke court's final verdict. Manihar has, however, been remaining at large since the murder of the two school boys. Those who are currently passing jail sentence include Meraj Ahamad Seikh, Ibrahim Maniyar, Kailash Gadariya, Rajitram Kurmi, Ramsovit Barma, Insaf Ali Seikh, Rajjab Ali Sai, and Najir Kha.

The court had announced life imprisonment against Meraj Ahamad Seikh. Regarding the school boys' murder case, police had filed cases against 16 people including those all arrested. Six other accused are still at large. Police had, however, given clean chit to C.P Singh, central committee member of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, Democratic on the case.


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TUPEE

NEPALI RUPEE DEPRECIATES FURTHER AGAINST DOLLAR
Kathmandu, 23 Nov. The depreciation of the Nepali against the US dollar
which gained against the Indian curreccy Thursday continued.
The Nepali legal tender was devalued to maintain a cross exchange rate
with the Indian ruppe against which the exchange rate of  the Nepali rupee
is fixed.
Neplai rupee is floated against convertible currencies.
The rupee posted a Rs 2.03 per dollar fall.
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UCPN MAOIST CANDIDATES FROM SINDHUPALCHOWK
Kathmandu, 23 Aug.:: Amidst mounting election fever, political parties have begun selecting and recommending candidates for the CA poll scheduled for November 19. UCPN(Maoist) in Sindhupalchowk, on Thursday recommended 15 different names as candidates for three election constituencies. Dhruba Dangal writes in
Republica from Sindhupalchowk..

According to the party, the candidates were chosen in alphabetical order and they represent Dalits, Janajatis and women as well. Among those recommended, five are from the Janajati communities, four are Dalits and three are women. Candidates recommenced from constituency no. 1 are Raj Kumar Shrestha, Saral Sahayatri, Lal Kanchha Tamang, Amrita Nepal and Sahadev Khati. Shrestha was elected to the previous CA also and Sahayatri is in charge of the party in the region and a former PLA commander.

Candidates recommended from constituency no. 2 are former lawmaker elected from the same constituency Agni Prasad Sapkota, who is now party spokesperson, Dhurba Parajuli, Madhav Sapkota, Aman Singh Tamang and Bimala BK.

Among them, Parajuli is a central committee member, Sapkota was a former PLA commissar, and Tamang is deputy in-charge of the party in the district.
Similarly, Chandra Bahadur Thapa Magar, Bidur Rayamajhi, Rohini BK, Shree Lama and Laxmi Dhimal have been recommended as candidates from constituency no. 3.

This area has been impacted by the party division. Former lawmaker Dawa Tamang, who defeated then RPP President Pashupati Shumsher JBR, is currently in the Baidya-led CPN-Maoist.

According to Maoist leader Madhav Sapkota, the party was able to recommend names for candidates following a month-long election campaign in the district. He said that the names will be formally presented at the upcoming CC meeting of the party and a candidate chosen from the five for direct representation. "The rest of them will be participating in elections under the proportional representation system.”

Among other parties, the RPP and Rastriya Janamorcha have also announced some candidate names. RPP has announced a single candidate from each constituency whereas Janamorcha has recommended six names.

Among the RPP candidates are Dharma Raj Bhandari from constituency no.1, Bishnu Bikram Thapa from no. 2 and Pashupati Shumsher JBR from 3. Rana was candidate from constituencies 1 and 3 in the past.

Likewise, Janamorcha has recommended the names of Krishna Subedi, Laxman Upreti and Bhagwati Paudel from constituency no. 1, Nirmal Dangal and Jeet Bahadur Yangjo from 2 and Mangal Singh Tamang from 3.

Other major political parties such as the CPN(UML) and Nepali Congress (NC) have also been mulling names for the upcoming CA election. “Once the party circular is received, we will recommend the names without delay," said CPN(UML) District President Jhamak Nepal.

According to NC District Secretary Krishna Neupane, they are to receive names from all the constituencies within a week and forward them to the party central committee.
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FEWA LAKE WATER BANNED

Kathmandu, 23 Aug.: To stem the possibility of water-borne diseases, Pokhara Sub-metropolitan Office (PSMO) has decided not to prohibit the hotel entrepreneurs to pump the water from Fewa Lake, Santosh Pokhrel writes in Republica from Pokhara.. Of late a lot of hotels and restaurants operators in the tourist town are pumping the water from the scenic lake, which is polluted to a certain extent, for laundry and other cleaning purposes. Moreover, such pipelines could tangle and capsize the boats that ferry tourists and locals alike. According to a PSMO spokesperson, Ananta Prasad Koirala, the sub-metropolitan office has asked the hotel entrepreneurs to stop pumping water from the lake by the next three days. Over a hundred hotels and restaurants in the vicinity of the lake directly supply water from the lake. While many hotel entrepreneurs directly supply the lake water to their hotels and restaurants, using machine pumps, some hotel operators have even laid underground pipelines. “It has been found that the polluted water of the lake is being used for various purposes in the hotels. It can have adverse effects upon the health of the public as well as the tourists,” Koirala said. “Thought the hotel operators claim that they purify the water before using it, our health experts have found that the lake water is not eligible for daily use purpose,” he further said, adding that waste materials from drainages, canals in Pokhara have seeped into the lake. Apart from this, the locals are further polluting the lake by bathing, washing clothes, swimming and cleaning their domestic animals. If the hotel operators do not take out their water pipes and pump sets within the next three days, the PSMO will confiscate the materials and take action as per Local Self Governance Act -2055 B.S., informed Koirala. The act stipulates a fine up to Rs. 15,000. On the other hand, the hotel entrepreneurs complain that they were compelled to pump water from the lake as the water cooperation in Pokhara does not supply water sufficiently.

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TRAITAHAR

RAUTAHAT WOMAN RAPED MURDERED IN INDIA
Kathmandu, 23 Aug.: A Rautahat woman has been raped and murdered across the border in India.
The body pf
Nisariya Devi Sah ,45. of Laukaha VDC, Rautahat was found in
in Sudurpur Village of east Champaran district in India, Thursday, police
said.
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UML CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEETS 31 AUG.
Kathmandu, 23 Aug.:  UML the central committee is meeting on
31August to solely discuss election-related issues.
This was decided by the standing committee Thursday.
The meeting will discuss manifesto, candidates for the vote,
Formation of  a central panel to steer the election and other issues,including differences between establishment and KP Sharma Oli on the party youth wing..
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surrender

OFFICIAL SURRENDERS BEFORE CIAA

Kathmandu, 23 Aug.  The Director General of Department of Foreign Employment Binod KC today surrendered before the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority and expressed his commitment to cooperate with the officers in the anti-graft body’s ongoing investigation into corruption, The Himalayan Times writes..

After the arrests of some DoFE officials, who had hinted investigating officers about institutional corruption in the department, the CIAA has been keeping KC and other top officials under close scrutiny. The CIAA has received information of misappropriation by DoFE officials while issuing labour approval to as many as 77 migrant workers. “He (KC) has expressed his commitment that he will fully cooperate and produce the file related to labour approval,” Bhawani Subedi, Press Coordinator for CIAA Chief Lokman Singh Karki, told THT.

Following media reports today that the anti-graft body was set to swoop down on top DoFE officials, Director General KC appeared before the CIAA. “Now we will wait for a few days and if he does not submit the file, we will begin action against him,” Subedi added.

The CIAA estimates that 40 to 50 per cent of DoFE staff may face action on graft charges as labour approval was issued illegally to 77 migrant workers who wanted to fly to Malaysia, Qatar and other Gulf countries. Thirty-four of them have already flown to different countries. The rest are in the ‘waiting list’. Those officials who were arrested on Tuesday had revealed that KC too was involved in issuing the labour approval illegally.
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INTERVIEW
TIA CONDITION WORSENING

The runway at the only international airport of the country, this year, has been creating a number of problems due to recurring damages. To find out more about the present scenario of the runway, reasons behind repeated damages, and plans of the aviation authority to improve the runway at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) to avoid similar problems in the future, Eliza Manandhar spoke to director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal Ratish Chandra Lal Suman. Here is what he had to say...

After a series of flight disturbances due to repeated damages on the runway, what is the current situation of the runway?

We have been observing such problems in the runway mainly in the rainy season and as the season is coming to an end, the problem will gradually end. With the improvement in the weather, it is becoming easier for the TIA management to carry out maintenance work on the runway. Both domestic and international flight operations are normal now. It has already been more than four decades since the runway was constructed with 02/20 strength and it was in 1975 that the runway was extended from 6,600 feet to 10,000 feet. The runway got its first resurfacing in 1985 and later in 1995 for the second time. Though the third resurfacing was supposed to be done in 2005, it was not done so until 2009 due to some technical reasons.

Though it is mandatory to resurface the runway every five or 10 years, why was it not done at TIA?

Due to the increasing traffic and absence of a parallel runway, it was almost impossible for us to carry out the resurfacing work in 2005. Before 2000, TIA used to have a total of 30,000 arrivals and departures in a year but after the implementation of a liberal sky policy in 2000, air traffic started to increase gradually. In 2012, there were a total of 1.25 lakh arrivals and departures while the figure was 1.15 lakh in 2011. Due to the flight pressure, it became impossible for us to carry out the resurfacing work in 2005, which was later done in 2009.

Do you agree that the condition of the TIA runway is degrading every year along with the increasing number of flights? Is construction of a parallel runway another option?

It is true that the condition of the TIA runway is degrading each year but there is no alternative at present. It is not that we are not seriously looking into the issue. People say that a parallel runway at TIA can help minimise degradation of the runway but it is almost impossible to construct one at the moment. When the airport was constructed, the runway was made with only one side approach. Now with growing urbanisation it is almost impossible to extend the airport and even if it is possible it will be a very costly affair. It is also not possible to reconstruct the existing runway as it is not feasible to construct and shift the airport within the valley or even stop the overall operations at TIA.

The TIA runway cannot be reconstructed nor the airport be shifted and there is no alternative to TIA. So why then is the authority not showing any urgency in starting the construction of regional international airports?

We are definitely concerned about the construction of regional international airports as they will take the country’s aviation industry to another level. If everything goes well we hope to complete the construction of Bhairahawa and Pokhara regional international airports within three years. The second international airport project has been handed over to the Investment Board, which will decide about either announcing a tender or handing over the project to Landmark Worldwide Company — a South Korean firm — that completed the detailed feasibility study.

CAAN has asked international airlines to stop operating heavy aircraft to TIA for the time being. What will be its impact?

As the runway cannot be reconstructed, avoiding heavy aircraft which means minimising the load of wide-body aircraft is the best option to prevent further damage to the runway. Due to recurring damage during monsoon, the TIA management has issued a notice requesting international carriers to minimise the load of wide-body aircraft. Aircraft operators can manage the weight of passengers, cargo and fuel. Either an operator can reduce its passenger number, or its cargo or fuel. We have even suggested international operators to refuel its aircraft in Kathmandu so that the weight of their aircraft when landing is minimised. However, the alternatives to minimising the load is still under discussion.

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ASULYM

RPP-N NATIONAL MEET 26 AUG..
Kathmandu, 23 Aug.:  The Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal (RPP-N) is going to organise its extensive national conference in the capital from August 26-28, RSS reports..

The conference is expected to focus on the discussions about the upcoming Constituent Assembly elections announced for November 19, according to the party source.

Today's meeting of the Conference Main Organising Committee decided to concentrate the event on the election discussions, party Publicity Department Chief Rajaram Shrestha said.

Around 400 representatives including party central members, central chairpersons of party wings, district chairmen, vice chairmen and secretaries will be participating in the conference.

The conference will also discuss the proposed National Unity Journey of the party to be started on September 12 in all the 75 districts.
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FORMER AMBASSADOR SHARMA SEEKS ASSSYLUM IN UK
Kathmandu, 23 Aug.:  Murari Raj Sharma, who served as Permanent Representative to the United Nations and became Ambassador to UK, has sought political asylum in the UK, where he was Nepal’s envoy until he was recalled in early 2009. Former foreign minister Upendra Yadav, who had a hand in getting him sacked, says Murari has sullied country’s image and prestige by seeking asylum in a country where he was once an ambassador, Lekhnath Pandey writes in The Himalayan TImes.

Multiple sources told THT that Murari had acquired a British passport with the status of “a political refugee.” He has sought asylum claiming that his life would be at risk if he returned to Nepal.

“Since I do not hold any political or public post, it should not be anybody’s concern if I stay here illegally or as a refugee,” Sharma told THT over phone from UK.

When asked why he had taken a step that would embarrass Nepal, he said, “I was kicked out in a humiliating manner. Had I been recalled respectfully, I would have reciprocated in a similar vein. It is my compulsion.” Interestingly, he said he would return to Nepal as soon as his wife’s heart surgery was over in a London hospital next month.

Chief Secretary Leela Mani Paudel told this correspondent that the government was working to frame an “appropriate policy” to deal with cases of former senior bureaucrats, including Sharma who was foreign secretary before his posting to the UN, who have stayed on abroad after being sent there in official capacity.

Sharma was appointed envoy to UK by GP Koirala-led non-Maoist government in February 2008. However, the then UCPN-Maoist-led government headed by Pushpa Kamal Dahal sacked him after the then foreign minister Upendra Yadav accused him of acting against “diplomatic etiquettes” in January 2009. Yadav blamed Sharma for violating diplomatic norms, as he approached the PM directly, bypassing Yadav. He termed Sharma’s claim that his life was under threat in Nepal bogus.

MoFA Spokesperson Deepak Dhital also claimed that Sharma faced no threat to his life in Nepal.

British embassy in Kathmandu refused to comment. “We do not comment on individual cases,” an Embassy spokesperson told this correspondent.
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ELDERLY WOMAN MURDERED
Kathmandu, 23 Aug.: Buddhi Maya Chapand ,60. was hacked todeadh at Gajuri in Dhading
Wednesday night st her home..
Busbamd Chandra Bahadur, 70, has also critically injured.
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MADESH PARTIES FOR 10 PROVINCES
Kathmandu, 23 Aug.: With less than three months to go for the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections slated for November 19, Madhes-centric parties have started zeroing in on the federal model and form of governance the country should adopt, Pranab Kharel writes in The Kathmandu Post..
Almost all Madhes parties are pitching for two autonomous provinces in the plains, basing them on the majority report of the State Restructuring Commission (SRC) that has proposed 10 provinces with  two of them in the Madhes.
The parties are also for a parliamentary system of governance, where the prime minister would be elected from the legislature. However, the Upendra Yadav-led Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Nepal (MJF-N) is in favour of a directly-elected president who will exercise executive powers.
According to the General Secretary of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik (MJF-L), Jitendra Dev, his party supports an improved form of the parliamentary system. On the federal set-up, Dev, who also heads the manifesto-writing committee of the party, said they are for 10 provinces, along the lines suggested by the SRC. “Our bottom line is that there should be two autonomous provinces in the Madhes--Madhes province and Tharuhat province,” he said.
He added that his party's manifesto demands that elections for provinces be held within one year of the promulgation of the constitution.The party which split from the MJF-N in July 2009, will be contesting the CA polls for the first time.
Sadhbhawana Party has also pitched for 10 provinces. According to leader Laxman Lal Karna, who heads the manifesto writing committee of the party, the two provinces in the Madhes would be named after consultations with the Tharu community. “As for the forms of governance, we are for a parliamentary system with executive powers vested on the prime minister,” he said.
The Rastriya Madhes Samajbadi Party, which split from the MJF-L in September last year, also said it favours the parliamentary system, where the prime minister, elected through a parliament, has the executive powers. “Though our position is for a single province, we could go for two,” said party spokesperson Izhar Mikrani.
The Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party led by Mahanta Thakur said it has a similar take on both these issues.
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GOLD AT SIX-MONTH HIGH
Gold price hit its six-month high of Rs 58,500 per tola (11.664 gm) on Thursday, posting an overnight price rise of Rs 1,200, The KathmanduPOst writes..
Although there has not been a significant rise in gold price in the international market, the price of the yellow metal has surged by Rs 4,000 per tola in Nepal over the last one week. The surge in gold price has hit consumers planning to purchase gold amid nearing festive season hard.
Gold dealers have attributed the hike in the bullion price to the depreciation of the Nepali rupees against the US dollar. The exchange rate, which was at Rs 98.60 per dollar on Aug 15, reached Rs 101.47 on Thursday. The Nepal Rastra Bank has set the exchange rate at Rs 103.60 per dollar for Friday and traders forecast a further rise in gold price.
“This is one of the best trading seasons, prior to festivals, but customers will be hit hard with the increasing price,” said Manik Ratna Shakya, general secretary of the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Associations (Fenegosida). He said factors such as low supply and less customs duty compared to that of India have raised the risk of gold smuggling to India, creating a shortage here.
The local market demands over 35 kg gold every day. However, the government provision allows supply of only 15 kg a day from commercial banks. And, high demand and low supply has fuelled black marketing, according to dealers. Some dealers are selling gold at Rs 1,000-Rs 1,500 higher than the market price, taking advantage of the shortage, they said.
After the hike in import duty on gold by India last week, local dealers have being pressuring the government to increase the duty in Nepal to Rs 4,400-5,000 from the existing Rs 3,600 per 10 gm.
Ramesh Maharjan, president of Federation of Nepal Gold, Silver, Jem and Jewellery Association, said the failure to increase the customs duty in line with India would fuel smuggling and create shortage in the local market. “Gold is cheaper by Rs 880 per gram in Nepal than in India, which has increased the risk of illegal exports to India,” said Maharjan.
If the government sets the customs duty in line with India’s, customers will have to pay an additional Rs 900 per for 10 gm gold . India had increased the duty to 10 percent (equivalent to Rs 4,480 per 10 gm).
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VOTE

LAST OPPORTUNITY TO REGISTER FOR NOV. VOTE

Kathmandu, 23 Aug.: The second opportunity to register for the November elections ends Friday:

The election commission had extended time for registration by one week.

Chairman of TMLP Mahanta Thakur registered Friday.

Names are being registered at district headquarters and district

election offices.

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NC DISCUSSES ELECTIONS

Kathmandu, 23 Aug. NC central leaders Friday discussed the party’s participation in the 19 November elections and current issues.

The party discussed a manifesto, candidate selection and finances for the vote.

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NEPAL SENDS TEAM TO UTTARKHAND

Kathmandu, 23 Aug.:  The Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi, has sent a fact-finding team to Uttarakhand on August 21, RSS reports..

According to a press release issued by the Embassy in New Delhi, the team consists of Yadu Lal Kharel, Counsellor in the Embassy, who was one of the two members who had gone to the area during the June-floods also, and Pushpa Raj Pandey, a Nepali social worker from Haridwar, who actively coordinated rescue of Nepalese nationals during the floods.

The team is entrusted with the task of trying to find out about Nepalese detainees, if any, and seek consular access; taking up the issue of compensation with authorities in Uttarakhand; getting further information about those under treatment in Uttarakhand; visit shelters where Nepalese nationals are kept, if any; and also trying to find out more about the missing Nepalese nationals in the state.

The team reached Dehradun Thursday, and got necessary information from the Secretariat on floods there.


According to the preliminary information received from the Secretariat in Dehradun, there are no more Nepalese detainees in Uttarakhand. Those who were detained under criminal charges during and in the aftermath of the floods have been released.

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12 INJURED IN UDAYAPUR

Kathmandu, 23 Aug.: Some 12 people were injured in a road mishap at Triveni VDC-6 Gras in the district on Thursday night, RSS reports..

The accident took place when a tripper (Na 3 Kha 6668) heading to Mahendranagar of Dhanusha district from Patana Bhanjyang of Udaypur overturned, said DSP Kisan Singh Thapa at the Area Police Office, Katari.

The tripper was carrying 12 people and limestone, it is learnt.

Of the 12 injured, five people with critical condition were sent to BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan for the treatment, said DSP Thapa.

The tripper driver Bhupal Pariyar is at large and search for the absconded is underway, said police..

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CHAIRMAN REGMI, PRESIDENY MEET

Kathmandu, 23 Aug.; Chairman Khil Raj Regmi and President Dr.

Ram Baran Yadav held discussions Friday on procedures for the 19 November election.

The meeting comes a day after major opposition parties and a HLPM behind government agreed in principle agreed to hold a roundtable conference in principle to resolve election differences.

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CLASH

BHAKTAUR FARMERS, POLICE CLASH

Kathmandu, 23: Aug.; Poultry farmer and police clashed in Bhaktapur

Friday.

Farmers were demanding adequate compensation of chickens during a

bird flu epidemic.

The farmers were injured.

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CLASH

mubarak

ANOTHER BREAKTHROUGH

Kathmandu, 22 Aug.: The leaders of the High-Level Political Committee (HLPC) and Federal Socialist Party have agreed to finalize all the contentious issues pertaining to the upcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) election through an all-side

political conference, RSS reports..

During the talks held this evening at the Secretariat of the HLPC, the two sides have agreed to organize the political conference to address the demands of all parties and sit for talks after holding preparations within two/three days.

During the talks, leaders of the Federal Socialist Party demanded to keep the same number of seats (335) under the proportional electoral system and organize the all-party political conference.

In response, the leaders of the HLPC responded positively, forwarding the necessary process ahead.

After the talks, leaders of both sides said that the talks were held positively and in a friendly manner.

Chairman of the Federal Socialist Party Ashok Rai said that the meeting was conducted in a friendly environment and the talks were positive.

He said agreement has been made to find the consensus in all issues through the political consensus.

Likewise, CPN (UML) leader Raghuji Panta said the HLPC was positive to increase the seats under the proportional electoral system and organize the all-party roundtable conference.

Similarly, Nepali Congress leader Arjun Narsing KC said the leaders of the HLPC expressed their opinions clearly regarding the possible agreement in all issues expect government change and change in the spirit of the 11-point agreement and 25-point order.

Leader KC claimed that all the conflicting issues would be finalized by August 31.

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VOTERS UPDATE

Kathmandi, 22 Aug,: At a time when a day is to go before the expiry of period extended for voters´ enrollment, the Election Commission (EC) has so far registered 106,015 voters across the country during the additional timeline, RSS reeeeeeports..

The EC enrolled total 25,384 voters throughout the country today alone. According to EC Spokesperson Bir Bahadur Rai, as many as 7,500 voters registered their names in Kathmandu today.

The Kathmandu Election Office and District Administration Office were seen with big crowd of voters. Some 40 desks were set up to enroll voters in the offices, said Spokesperson Rai.

The EC had again started the task of voters´ enrollment for a week from August 17 at the recommendation of the High Level Political Committee.

The Spokesperson informed that Kathmandu saw the highest voters´ enrollment while the voters´ registration was only 21 in Manang.

The EC has made preparation to some desks from Friday to address growing crows of voters for enrollment.

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REQUEST TO GIVE UP FAST

Kathmandu, 22 Aug.: Minister for Health Bidhyadhar Mallik has urged Chairwoman of Nepal Sadbhavana Party Sarita Giri to take medical treatment and sit for talks with the government, RSS writes..

Giri is staging the hunger strike at Shanti Batika, Ratna Park, since August 13 demanding to delimit the election constituencies based on population growth in Madhes.

Minister Mallik, who visited leader Giri along with Secretary at the Ministry of Health Dr Pravin Mishra, urged Giri to accept medical checkup with the team of medicos sent by the government and sit for talks.

However, Giri rejected the health checkup facility complaining that the government sent the doctors without informing her and for not paying any heed to her demands.

After meeting with Giri, Minister Mallik said that the government would send an official letter inviting her party for talks.

Meanwhile, rights activist Krishna Pahadi, Charan Prasain, Dinesh Tripathi, Chairwoman of Sancharika Samuha Nirmala Sharma inquired about Giri´s health condition.

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DAHAL SPEAK

Kathmandu,,22 Aug,: UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the new constitution could not be promulgated due to the liberal policy followed by his party,RSS writes from Banepa.. Inaugurating the first conference of YCL Nepal Tamsaling State Committee here Thursday, he said the liberal policy adopted by his party in forging a consensus with the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML worked as an obstacle in drafting the new constitution. "The new constitution could have been formulated had an agreement been reached to decide the contentious issues through voting", he said. The high-level political committee has decided to promulgate the new constitution within one year of the new CA election, Chairman Dahal said but added that there was a risk of the constitution not being promulgated again if the people do not give the UCPN (Maoist) a complete majority. Some 350 representatives from 10 districts in the state are taking part in the two-day conference that will elect a new leadership.

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MUBARAK LEAVES PRISON

Kathmandu, 22 Aug.:: Egypt´s ousted president Hosni Mubarak was flown from prison by helicopter to a military hospital Thursday after he was cleared for conditional release while standing trial, an interior ministry general told AFP in Cairo..

Mubarak will be held under house arrest at the hospital on the orders of the prime minister. The 85-year-old is believed to be suffering from a heart

Condition.

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FOREIGN ASSIST FOR VOTE

Kathmandu, 22 Aug.: The Government of Nepal has received billions of rupees from the international community for the successful conduction of the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections, slated for November 19., RSS writes,

The development partners of Nepal, with a view to consolidating democracy and institutionalising republic through a constitution have generously offered physical and economic support for elections.

The northern neighbour China sending off Deputy Prime Minister level State Councilor Yang Jiechi to Nepal at top political level, not only expressed solidarity to CA polls but instantly announced monetary support to the tune of Rs 15.41 billion for the procurement of materials required for elections.

The concerned officials of both countries signed the bilateral agreement relating to cooperation to the CA elections in the presence of Chairman of the Interim Election Council of Ministers and visiting State Councilor Yang.

Likewise, the southern neighbour India too felt the need to cooperate with Nepal in its endeavour of holding free and fair elections. For the same, India acceded to provide adequate vehicles for the same.

Coinciding with Chinese State Councilor's visit that concluded just two weeks before, Indian Minister for External Affairs, Salman Khursid paid an official visit to Nepal. He not only reiterated unity to the Government of Nepal's decision to hold elections, but also accentuated on indispensability of the polls for the speedy economic prosperity and sustainability of democracy.

He also conveyed providing every possible support from the people and the Government of India. During his sojourn, Indian side agreed to assist Nepal and both parties reached a deal to provide Rs 800 million worth 764 different types of vehicles, which will be supplied for the use of the Election Commission and security-related agencies.

Both China and India have been stating that they could proffer additional support to CA elections, provided that the Government of Nepal requests succinctly what sort of assistance Nepal expects.

Japan, one of the largest development partners of Nepal has already agreed to provide a grant assistance of Rs 142 million to the Government for the purchase of products and services to be used in the upcoming CA Election.

Agreement to this effect has been signed by the competent officials of both nations. Terming CA elections as a 'backbone' to democracy, Western nations as well have been pledging strong support and extending every possible back up.

The United States of America has also communicated willingness to assist CA polls at par with China and India, and has been supporting Nepal's elections with five programmes implemented through six partners.

The US has not declared any new projects since similar programmes relating to elections are ongoing. These programmes are funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). So far, the US has pumped in Rs 5.61 billion, according to current exchange rate for these projects.

The US has provided Rs. 260 million through cooperation with Carter Centre including for training for 10,000 menpower for election observation. The USA has provided Rs. 2.39 billion for the five year project for political party consolidation and election.

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PARSA ACCIDENT INJURES SIX

Kathmandu, 22 Aug.: Six people were injured in a road accident at Pakaha Mainpur VDC in Parsa district on Thursday morning, RSS reports from Birgunj..

The accident took place when a bus (Na 3 Kha 8490) heading towards Sabaithaba from Birgunj hit a roadside electric pole.

The injured are undergoing treatment at local health post, said Deputy Superintendent of Police at the Border Security Office of the Armed Police Force, Mohan Bahadur Chhetri.

Police have impounded the vehicle and search for the driver is underway.

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KAMAL THAPA SUPPORTS ROUNDTABLE

Kathmandu, 22 Aug.: Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal (RPP-N), Kamal Thapa, said that there was a possibility of holding election to the Constituent Assembly (CA) on the declared date if a roundtable conference was held within a
Week.  RSS reports from Chitwan.
At a news conference organised by the Chitwan branch of the Reporters' Club at Bharatpur Airport on Thursday, Thapa said the President and the Chairman of the Interim Election Council should take initiatives to hold the roundtable conference as it was the only alternative to bring the agitating parties including the CPN-Maoist led by Mohan Baidhya to election.

The RPP-Nepal Chairman said that Nepali people are in favour of election, so the government and the Election Commission should come out of the four-party syndicate so as to hold the CA election.

He said that a 'National Unity Journey' will be started from Gorkha on September 11 and 'Signature Collection' across the nation from September 20.

Thapa arrived here today in course of cadres gathering and training.

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CHAIRMAN REGMI, DAHAL MEET

Kathmandu, 22 Aug.: Chairman of the Interim Election Council Khil Raj Regmi, and Chairman of the UCPN-Maoist Pushpa Kamal Dahal held a meeting at the official residence of the Prime minister at Baluwatar on

Thursday, RSS reports. morning.

During the meeting, they discussed on the contemporary issues including election environment and the latest political situation of the country, said Press Coordinator of Chairman Regmi, Rajendra Pandey.

On the occasion, Regmi said that the government is engaged with determination to hold the election to the next Constituent assembly (CA) on the stipulated date on November 19.

Chairman Regmi said that the government was determined to hold the CA election on the declared date by incorporating all in the election, Pandey quoted Regmi as saying.

Stating that the talks with the dissenting parties have moved ahead positively, UCPN–Maoist Chairman Dahal familiarised Regmi about their preparations of the election.

The government and the major political parties have been holding talks with the dissenting parties including the CPN-Maoist to bring them into election.

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TWO MISSING IN SOLU RIVER

Kathmandu, 22 Aug.: Two brothers of Salyan VDC-1 in the district have gone missing in course of fishing in a local river

on Wednesday, RSS reports from Solu..

They were swept away by the Solo River while fishing, police said.

Balkumar Newar (19) slipped and fell into the river while fishing and Chandra Newar was also swept away while trying to rescue him, said the Necha Area Police Office.

The police and locals are searching for them but were not found yet, said DSP Badri Bikram Thapa.

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ROUNDTABLE

UPDATE ROUNDTABLE AGREED

Kathmandu, 22 Aug.: Im a breakthrough HJPM agreed to a roundtable

conference to discuss the 19 November assembly elections opposed by a

33-party alliance Thursday.

Parties represented in the dissolved assembly will participate in the

rounddable.

The mechanism and opposition led by CPN Maoist came to an agreement.

Date for the meet will be fixed later.

CPN Maoist Chairman Mohan Baidya said that the meeting was positive.

FOUR INJURED IN  JHAPA

Kathmandu, 22 Aug.: Four people were injured when two motorbikes collided with each other at Sitapuri road section along the East-West highway on Wednesday night. The accident took place when one of the motorcyclists tried to save an animal crossing the road, said the police, RSS reports from Damak..
Those injured in the accident are Pema Tamang of Dharampur-8 and his sons Sangden Tamang, 10, and Sange Tamang, 8. They were riding the motorbike (Me 5 Pa 4938).
Likewise, Raja Khatiwada of Morang, Dulari, who was riding the bike (Ko.7 Pa 9942) was injured in the mishap, said police.
Critically injured in the mishap, Sange Tamang and Raja Khatiwada were sent to Neuro Hospital in Biratnagar and others are being treated at Lifeline Hospital, said DSP Rajan Adhikari at the Damak Area Police. RSS
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DARJEELING LEADER ARRESTED
Kathmandu, 22 Aug,: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha ( GJM ) assistant general secretary Benoy Tamang was arrested Thursday along with six of his party workers from near the West Bengal-Sikkim border in Darjeeling district, police said, iANS reports from Darjeeling..
“Tamang and the others were rounded up from Rangpo in connection with cases like putting up road blockage and preventing police officers from carrying out their duties,” Kalimpong sub-division Additional Superintendent of Police Sangmit Lepcha said.
Tamang, a close associate of GJM supremo Bimal Gurung is the highest-ranking leader of the party to be arrested since the West Bengal government started a crackdown on its leaders.
Forty GJM activists were taken into custody since Wednesday night, district Superintendent of Police Kunal Agarwal said.
Since the party began a fresh agitation for the carving of a separate Gorkhaland in the wake of the announcement of the formation of Telangana last month, 710 GJM activists have been arrested.
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KYEUW

GKPN

HLPM OPPOSITION ALLIANCE TALKS THURSDAY

Kathmandu, 22 Aug.: A meeting of the HLPM chaired by NC President

Sushil Koirala with 33-party opposition alliance led by CPN Maoist on

election issues in being held Thursday.

Two rounds of talks have been inconclusive.

CPN Maoist have adopted a double pronged strategy of talks and poll

boycott.

Opposition has pushed 18 demands and has threatened to boycott and

disrupt the 19 November vote.

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SUSHIL KOIRALA  SAYS ELECTIONS INCONCEIVEABLE WITHOUT CPN MAOIST

Kathmandu, 22 Aug.: President of Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala today ruled out the possibility of deferring the Constituent Assembly elections saying it would be tantamount to inviting disaster, The Himalayan Times reports..

Talking to a group of journalists, Koirala said deferral of poll date at a time when anti-election elements were hell-bent on preventing CA elections would be disastrous for the country.

Stating that his party had no intention of excluding any party from the poll process, Koirala said he was confident all agitating parties, particularly the CPN-Maoist would eventually join the poll process. “We cannot even imagine that the CPN-M will not join the poll process,” he said and added that he would try his best to bring the party on board the poll process.

Koirala, however, said UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal was least hopeful the CPN-M would join the poll process. “Dahal has been saying from the beginning that the CPN-M will not join the poll process and there is no need to hold talks with that party, but I have been trying my best to bring the CPN-M on board,” Koirala clarified.

He said that all the parties had already taken the ownership of the agreed agendas of the last CA, and therefore, looking for consensus on the contents of the new constitution as sought by the CPN-M was not possible.

“The CPN-M should clearly state what their demand for an all-party meeting means,” Koirala noted. “I do not think that an all-party meeting of parties in the dissolved CA, agitating parties and civil society organisations as sought by the CPN-M can give an outlet to the problems.

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POLICE INVESTIGATION OF ADHIKARI MURDER RESUMES

Kathmandu, 2 Aug.: Chitwan police have initiated investigation into the murder of Krishna Prasad Adhikari. A local of Bhujel VDC-7, Gorkha, The Himalayan Times reports from Narayangarh..

Adhikari was allegedly murdered by Maoist cadres nine years ago in Ratnanagar of Chitwan.

The government formed a seven-member probe committee under the chairmanship of DSP Sanjay Bahadur Raut yesterday. Informing that he had received a letter from Chitwan District Police Office, probe committee chairman DSP Raut said his committee had initiated investigation into the murder of Krishna Prasad Adhikari as per the rights and responsibilities delegated to the committee. “Though the incident is old, we have started investigating it,” Raut added.

According to Raut, the committee will study the documents, then make field observation and issue an arrest warrant against the murder accused as per the principle of necessity. “When time comes, we shall arrest the guilty and keep them in custody,” Raut said.

After the Human Rights Commission wrote a letter to the government to investigate Adhikari’s murder, the government had directed Police headquarters in this regard last week.

Chitwan police have launched the investigation following a directive from Police Headquarters. Chitwan police had written to the prosecutors’ district office seeking suggestion as to how police could launch investigation as the Adhikari murder case had been closed a long time ago.

After the government decided not to proceed with cases related to conflict-era on June 12, 2006, Chitwan police had halted investigation of Krishna Prasad Adhikari’s murder.

The sit-ins and fast-unto-death by Nanda Prasad and Gangamaya, the deceased’s parents, had piled pressure on the government to reinvestigate the incident. The Adhikari couple has been kept at the ICU in Bir Hopsital from Tuesday after their health deteriorated.

Nur Prasad Adhikari, the deceased’s brother, is in Chitwan to help police with investigation. Nur Prasad welcomed the police probe into his brother’s murder. “Police have to investigate and bring the guilty to book,” Adhikari demanded. Stating that his parents would not break the fast-unto-death until the guilty were arrested,

Adhikari clarified that he had been to Chitwan to support police with the investigation process. “I want to see the guilty put in jail,” Nur Prasad said.

Adhikari was murdered a day after his abduction on June 6, 2004 at the age of 18 by cadres of then CPN (Maoist) when he had gone to Chitwan to meet his relatives.

Police had been compelled to close the case after the then government and major parties agreed to form the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to look into cases related to incidents

the occurred during the insurgency.

Nur Prasad had filed an FIR at the District Police Office, Chitwan, against Januka Paudel, Chhabilal Paudel, Bhimsen Paudel, Parsuram Paudel, Bishnu Tiwari, Kali Prasad Tiwari, and Sita Adhikari on June 7, 2004.

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UCPN MAOIST BELIEVES IT HAS GAINED GROUND IN

ELECTIONS

Kathmandu, 22 Aug.: An internal assessment made by the UCPN (Maoist) has shown that the party’s position has strengthened relatively in the Madhes and the Kathmandu valley, while it has relatively weakened in the hill regions, Kamal Dev
Bhattarai writes in The Kathmandu Post..
The party’s preliminary election evaluation shows that it will win 10-15 more seats in the Madhes under the Fast- Post- the- Past (FPTP) category, while it is likely to lose the same number of seats in the hills, according to leaders.  In the 2008 Constituent Assembly election, the UCPN (Maoist) won 34 of the 116 seats in the Madhes in the FPTP system. Leaders claim that the party’s consistent position on federalism contributed to its position strengthening in the Tarai region.
“In the 2008 election, people in the southern belt projected us as an anti-Madhes force, but now they have realised that the Maoists can address their concerns over federalism,” a leader told the Post.
Further, the party has managed to sort out the longstanding organisational disputes in the Madhes, which had been plaguing the party for long. Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal himself sorted out several state and district-level disputes. The influx of Madhesi leaders from other parties into the UCPN (Maoist) also played a crucial role in the party’s good show in the Madhes.
However, dissatisfaction among some Madhesi Maoist leaders remains as, according to them, the party gave Ram Chandra Jha ‘more space.’ Jha recently defected from the CPN-UML and joined the UCPN (Maoist) .
“With Jha’s entry, the party’s position got a boost in Bhojpura and Mithila,” said the party’s Madhes in-charge, Haribol Gajurel.
Dahal is out on a tour of the southern region. On Tuesday, he held an interaction with Madhesi people, while he has already announced that he will contest the upcoming election from the Madhes. “I need the Madhesi people’s backing to draft a federal constitution that fulfills their aspirations,” Dahal said in Janakpur.
With a view to strengthening its base in the region further, the party is holding consultations with Madhesi intellectuals.
The latest census shows that around 50 percent of the country’s total population lives in the Madhes. “The strengthening of the UCPN (Maoist) ’s position in the Madhes means it will win more seats in the upcoming election,” said advocate Dipendra Jha, who closely follows Madhes politics.
Leaders, however, said the party’s position in the hilly region has weakened after Mohan Baidya left the UCPN (Maoist) last year and formed a separate party, CPN-Maoist.
Leaders sent to assess the situation in the hill region have reported to the party headquarters that the split has adversely affected its hold in the hill region. Further, cadres in the hill districts are ruing the ‘communication gap’ after the 2008 election. To strengthen the party’s hold in the region, the UCPN (Maoist) is desperately trying to forge an election alliance with the Federal Socialist Party Nepal (FSPN).
“The CPN-Maoist’s main mission will be to defeat us in the election. So, they will create obstacles for us in the hill region,” said Gajurel.
In the Kathmandu valley, leaders said the party will secure more seats this time in the three districts of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur. The leaders claimed that a significant number of the ‘middle class’ people in the Valley are supporting the party. The UCPN (Maoist) had won in seven of the 15 constituencies in the Valley in 2008.
The party is scheduled to hold its Central Committee meeting next week to prepare a strategy for the November 19 polls.
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MADESH PARTIES HUNT FOR CANDIDATES
Kathmandu, 22 Aug.: In view of the upcoming Constituent Assembly election, the Madhes-centric parties have sought the names of possible candidates from their district units. Most of the parties have asked their district chapters to submit at least three names, including an inclusive list, The Kathmandu Post writes,
While the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP) has asked focal persons in various constituencies to send the names by August 31, the party has asked its district committees to send the names by August 26.
“We have asked the leaders in different constituencies to send the names of three candidates, one of them female,” said TMLP spokesperson Sarvendra Shukla. He said any proposal sent by leaders from constituencies would contain a note from the respective district party chief.
In the same vein, the Sadbhawana Party has already asked its district committee chiefs or coordinators (where a party committee is yet to be formed) to submit the names of three candidates in the expanded Central Committee meeting scheduled for August 24-26. “Shortly thereafter members of the parliamentary committee will be dispatched to various districts to find out the status of the recommended candidates. Based on the finding the party will take a final call,” said Sadbhawana leader Upendra Mahato. The expanded meeting, according to Mahato, will also chalk out a poll strategy.
A similar circulation has also been issued by the Upendra Yadav-led Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Nepal (MJF-N) and Bijaya Gachhadar’s Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik (MJF-L). While the MJF-N has sought names of up to five candidates, the MJF-L has sought at least three candidates. The upcoming national gathering of the MJF-L in Biratnagar is expected to finalise the poll related issues, said party General Secretary Jitendra Narayan Dev.
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