Teej being observed

Hindu women are observing the Teej festival Saturday, praying to Lord Shiva and observing fast for the longevity of their husbands. 

Unmarried girls also take fast to be able to find suitable and adorable husbands. nepalnews.com mr Aug 30

Their Majesties' check up begins

The medical check ups of His Majesty King Gyanendra and Her Majesty Queen Komal have begun at London-based Cromwell Hospital Friday, RSS reported. 

Their Majesties left for London last week for regular check ups. nepalnews.com mr Aug 30

Judges discuss personal securities

Amid growing insecurity, the Supreme Court Justices Friday discussed personal security arrangements to be provided from the government, sources said. 

Chief Justice Kedar Nath Upadhyay and all full-fledged Justices of the apex court took part in the meeting. They said the security arrangement for the Justices is fragile and the government needs to be informed and act on it. But, nothing has been decided yet, according to a participant. 

"If the Justices decide to go for security measures, the Supreme Court will send a formal letter to the Home Ministry asking for such arrangements." 

So far, Chief Justice only receives security the from government. The meeting has decided to hold conference of Supreme Court and appellate court judges between Dashain and Tihar. nepalnews.com mr Aug 30

Kofi Annan expresses concern

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has expressed deep concern at the breakdown in the ceasefire and the upsurge in violence in Nepal, AP reported from New York Saturday. 

"He remains convinced that there is no alternative to the continuation of dialogue and a peaceful solution to the conflict," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at the UN headquarters in New York. nepalnews.com mr Aug 30

Peace facilitators relieved from duty

Following the truce break, the government Friday relieved the four peace talks facilitators from their responsibility, a report said Saturday quoting a facilitator. 

In separate letters sent to the four facilitators Padma Ratna Tuladhar, Daman Nath Dhungana, Shailendra Kumar Upadhyay and Karna Dhoj Adhikari, the government has thanked them for their services rendered over the last six months in keeping alive the hopes for talks, The Kathmandu Post reported. 

The team had been working to bring the government and the Maoists to the talking table ever since it was formed on April 27, the day the first round of talks took place between the government and the Maoists in Kathmandu. 

The facilitators had also brought the two sides for the second round of talks on May 9, which was followed by the third round of talks on August 17 in Nepalgunj. 

Meanwhile, Dhungana revealed that the security personnel Friday "raided" the office of the facilitators but he declined to comment further, The Kathmandu Post reported. nepalnews.com mr Aug 30

Kandel out of danger

Former Minister of State for Home Devendra Raj Kandel is out of danger, doctors involved in Kandel's treatment said late Friday evening. 

Kandel was immediately rushed to the Patan Hospital after he was shot by two Maoist assailants at his residence at Ekantakuna at around 7 p.m. Friday. 

The attackers came on motorcycle and shot Kandel on the leg and shoulders when Kandel was getting off a jeep at his premises.  Altogether five bullets were recovered from Kandel's body. He sustained minor injuries on his head, police said. 

Of late, Kandel held the ministerial post in the then Sher Bahadur Deuba government nearly a year ago.  nepalnews.com mr Aug 29

Thousands take to streets for peace 

In a massive display of people’s longing for peace, tens of thousands of city dwellers joined a peace rally Friday. 

People from all walks of life and various organizations joined the biggest ever peace rally calling both the government and the Maoists to give peace a chance. Carrying placards, banners and chanting anti-war slogans, the participants marched across city’s major areas. 

Organizers said that the rally was primarily aimed at pressurizing the two sides to find a peaceful way out. Most of the people voluntarily came down to streets as they were all for peace. nepalnews.com mk Aug 29

TU not to postpone exams

A meeting of Tribhuvan University (TU) departmental chiefs and officials Friday decided not to bow down to the student union's demand to postpone first year exams of the Bachelor Level starting this Sunday. 

The student unions affiliated with the five parties were pressing TU to postpone the exams to facilitate the five parties "decisive" movement on September 4. 

On Thursday, the students submitted a memorandum to TU officials urging them to postpone the exams. "Friday's meeting was held for the same cause," according to a participant. 

The general students, meanwhile, have been complaining that the student unions seized admit cards meant for exams from college administrations. According to a rule, students are not allowed to sit for exams without those cards. nepalnews.com mr Aug 29

Maoists shoot ex-minister Kandel (7:45 p.m.)

A group of Maoists shot Debendra Raj Kandel, former minister of state for home, at his own residence at Ekantakuna, Lalitpur at around 7 p.m. Friday, eyewitnesses said at 7:45 p.m. 

Kandel has been rushed to the nearby Patan Hospital. There is no immediate information about his condition. 

Kandel is an active member of the Nepali Congress. (more to follow) nepalnews.com mr/rh Aug 29

PM's speech focuses on five parties' movement

Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, addressing the nation Friday evening, urged the five political parties to withdraw protest programs for now, keeping in mind the present sensitive peace and security situation.

"The political parties movement will help the non-constitutional forces only," PM Thapa said in his speech indicating the Maoists as the "non-constitutional" forces. 

"Solution to each and every impasse can be reached through mutual dialogue and co-ordination," the PM said with regard to the five parties ongoing movement against the Royal move of October 4, 2002. 

Parties have been demanding an all party national government and revival of House of Representatives. Parties said their seventh phase of movement, especially on September 4, would be "decisive".  

"PM Thapa's speech specially targets the five parties' declaration, who have vowed to bring life to a halt on September 4 in Kathmandu," according to analysts. 

In the speech, PM Thapa has also mentioned the grounds for declaring Maoists the terrorists, taking almost the same grounds a notice of Council of Ministers cited Thursday, for declaring the Maoists terrorists. 

PM Thapa, in the speech, said the government is always ready to find a peaceful solution out of the national problems.  

On the government's agenda presented during the third round of peace talks, PM Thapa said the agenda was forward-looking, as it underlined the massive welfare of women, dalits, indigenous people and janjatis. 

PM Thapa further said the government's main objective is to hold parliamentary elections in the nation. 

"I expect assistance from all political parties, civic society and media, among others, to solve the national issues," Pm Thapa said in the speech. nepalnews.com mr Aug 29

Rape incident in Kathmandu

Police has arrested Ram Awatar Yadav, 24 from Battisputali, Kathmandu for raping a 14-year-old girl, reports said Friday.

Yadav was living in rent in the same house. The incident occurred at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, which came to the light when she cried for help.

Yadav was from Madhupatti, Saptari, police said. nepalnews.com mr Aug 29

Maoists loot bank in Chitwan

Maoists have looted over Rs. 2.4 million from a branch office of Nepal Bank Limited at Parsa Bazaar of Khaireni VDC at 11:30 a.m. Friday, an employee of the District Administration Office (DAO), Chitwan told Nepalnews over telephone.

“A group of 15-16 armed Maoists came in a van and looted the bank,” said Lok Bahadur Shrestha at the DAO. 

According to him, the Maoists looted Rs. 2,402,197 from the bank after getting hold of the guard and bank staff.

The group also looted three rifles and over 50 bullets. However, no one was hurt in the incident, he said.

Maoists, who came in a van numbered Na. 1 Ja. 1544 took nearly 15 minutes to loot the bank and escaped. 

Security has been highly beefed up in the area and the investigation is on, Shrestha said. nepalnews.com mr Aug 29 

PM speech in the evening

Amid deteriorating peace and security situation, Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa is addressing the nation after 6:30 p.m. Friday evening, an announcement said.

Thapa is said to be facing double pressure since his appointment as the Premiere. Political parties have been pressing Thapa on one side and on the other side, the Maoists have pulled out of the ceasefire and begun destructive activities.

On Thursday, CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal demanded Thapa’s resignation. Nepal said there are no more ceasefire and peace talks, and the government should now step down. nepalnews.com mr Aug 29

Army man wounded in ambush

An army man sustained injuries in Jogbudha VDC, Dadeldhura after being trapped in a Maoist ambush, reports said Friday.

He was rushed to the nearby health post after the incident. nepalnews.com mr Aug 29

Britain, India express concern

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, in a statement Friday, termed the collapse of government-Maoist peace talk “disappointing”. In another statement , the Indian government called it “unfortunate”.

“The collapse of peace talks risks at setting in train a period of renewed violence and suffering in Nepal which will benefit no one,” Straw said in the statement.

“I strongly urge both sides to return to the negotiating table, and for all parties to work together to find a solution, in the interests of the people of Nepal,” he said, adding, “the UK government stands ready to provide support to a renewed peace process.”

In another statement, the spokesman at the Ministry of External Affairs of India, said the Indian government is concerned over the growing number of clashes and violent incidents in various parts of Nepal, including attacks on political leaders. 

“Any resumption of armed hostilities would be unfortunate and would constitute a setback to the efforts for peace and stability in Nepal," the statement said.

“India continues to believe that the principles of multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy are key for restoring stability in Nepal and a solution to the difficulties facing Nepal needs to be found within this framework,” the statement added. nepalnews.com mr Aug 29