PM still for peace talks

Within five days of the ceasefire break and terrorist labeling on Maoists, Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa on Sunday called the civic society to take initiatives for peace talks again, according to reports.

"We are ready to sit for peace talks again," PM Thapa told a delegation of civic society members Sunday. Dr. Sundar Mani Dixit, coordinator of the delegation, said the government was ready to withdraw terrorist label upon the Maoists, if the peace talk resumes. 

"PM Thapa was flexible to discuss the Maoists' demand for constituent assembly," Dr. Dixit said. "So the next peace talks may be held soon under the initiative of civic society." 

"If the government agrees upon the Maoists' demand for constituent assembly, the next peace talks can resume soon," another delegation member and President of Nepal Bar Association, Sindhu Nath Pyakurel said. 

The delegation is also scheduled to meet Maoist leaders soon, it is learnt. nepalnews.com mr Sept 1

151-kg laddu for Lord Ganesh

A devotee of Lord Ganesh has put his best efforts to please the God. 

In an unusual endeavor, Ranjit Kumar Halwai of ward no-1, Jaleshwor municipality offered a laddu or sweet weighting 151 kgs to Lord Ganesh on the occasion of Ganesh Poojamahotsav Saturday. 

A large number of people are flocking in Jaleshwor to have a glimpse of the extra large sweet, which they say is a good and unique way to please the God. 

Halwai said it took three day's work and cost about Rs. 6,000 to prepare the sweet, RSS reported. nepalnews.com mr Sept 1

Drug abuse meet in Birgunj

A regional workshop of the mid-regional networking to reduce the use of drugs and its impact on youths has begun in Birgunj Saturday. 

A total of 40 participants including the assistant chief district officer of the mid development region have been participating in the workshop, RSS reported. nepalnews.com mr Sept 1

Eye disease wide spread in Jhapa

The outbreak of conjunctivitis has appeared as a menace in Jhapa following the spread of viral influenza, reports said Monday.

Some 150 patients suffering from eye diseases visit the local Mechi Eye Treatment Centre daily and the number is increasing every day, says Dr. Rajan Kumar of the centre. 

Reddish eyes, inflammation, swelling of the upper eyelids, appearance of sores, eye-ache, watering eyes, deposit of white sticky matter, headache and dizziness, among others, are the symptoms of the disease, RSS reported. nepalnews.com mr Sept 1

Rana for unity among parties

President of Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Pashupati SJB Rana Sunday pointed out the need of unity among all political parties to resolve the problem of the country. 

Talking briefly to journalists at the airport after returning from a weeklong visit to North Korea, he said the problem should be resolved with the common agenda of all political parties. 

The RPP workers received Rana at the airport, according to RSS. nepalnews.com mr Sept 1

Valley Command Division formed

To coordinate security arrangements in Kathmandu, Royal Nepal Army has formed a "Valley Command Division" under the leadership of a Major General, sources said. The division has started functioning from Monday Sept. 1.

The Division came into being following an RNA suggestion to the Defence Ministry, source said. "Now all security bodies, the RNA, Armed Police Force, Civil Police and National Investigation Department will work coordinating with the newly formed Division mainly in the valley." nepalnews.com mr Sept 1

'Combing' operation underway

"Combing" operations are underway in places reported to have heavy Maoist presence, a published report said Monday quoting security sources.

"Security personnel in civil uniforms are regularly patrolling such areas," The Himalayan Times reported.

"We are improving security arrangements the best we can; but human factors remain to bar us from putting security at zero risk," the report quoted a senior official, as saying.

On smuggling of weapons to valley during the ceasefire, the official said, "People were a bit relaxed and certain about the peace process."

The security officials suspect that the Maoists may go for some "big hits" during the five parties' agitation beginning September 4. nepalnews.com mr Sept 1

Student leader arrested

CPN UML student activist Binod Maharjan was arrested by security personnel in the capital Sunday, the party said. Maharjan is central secretariat member of the All Nepal National Free Students' Union.

Unknown people Sunday abducted  Ramhari Chaulagai, a reporter with the weekly newspaper Sanghu from a printing press in the capital, the newspaper said.

Authorities have stepped up arrests nation-wide amid heightened security following the unilateral suspension of peace talks by Maoists with the government last week. nepalnews.com br Sept.1

Mother of late assassinated IGP dead

Mother of assassinated Armed Police IGP Krishna Mohan Shrestha died Sunday seven months after he was gunned down by Maoists in the capital, family sources said.

Prem Kumari Shrestha was 87. She was cremated Sunday. Rebels also shot dead Shrestha's wife and guard January 29. nepalnews.com br Sept.1

PM Thapa meets Koirala

Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa Sunday met with Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala and held discussions on the current political situation, party sources said.

PM Thapa mainly urged Koirala to withdraw the "decisive" movement scheduled for September 4, 2003, considering the grave security situation. Koirala's response to the PM's call, however, is not known.

PM Thapa is also set to meet CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, who is an influential five party leader.

A few days ago, PM Thapa made a speech addressing the nation and called all "constitutional forces" to unite against the "non-constitutional force". nepalnews.com mr Sept 1

US, British envoys for reconciliation

The US and British ambassadors Sunday urged Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala to unite with the monarchy and government to fight the Maoist insurgency, a published report said Monday.

Meeting Koirala at his residence, both the US and British ambassadors, Michael E Malinowski and Keith Bloomfield respectively, were of the view that going on a confrontational course against the government and monarchy could add to the outstanding problems.

"In their opinion, the Maoist insurgency was the greater problem facing the country rather than the royal intervention of October 4, 2002," The Kathmandu Post reported quoting aides close to Koirala.

Ambassadors asked Koirala, his party and other parties waging a joint-agitation that going for confrontation with the government now would only strengthen the Maoists' hand.

The two ambassadors have already given similar advice last week to CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal. nepalnews.com mr Sept 1

Nepali runner excels

A 33-year-old Nepali runner captured top honours today at the North Face Ultra-Trail International, the first amateur foot race around  Mont Blanc, western Europe's highest peak, AFP reported from Chanomix in France Sunday.

Tacchiri Sherpa,who lives in Geneva, crossed the finish line in the alpine city of Chamonix  just after midnight in driving  rain, completing the rugged 150-km course in 20 hours and six minutes.

The race falls in the category of ultra-running--foot racing at distances beyond standard marathon. nepalnews.com br Sept.1

Encephalitis claims 23 lives

Some 23 people have died and more than 100  people have fallen ill from Japanese encephalitis this year in the mid and far western regions, RSS reported from  Nepalgunj.

Of the 23 who died, 13 died in Bheri Zonal Hospital, five in Nepalgunj Medical College and three in Kohalpur Teaching Hospital.

Dr. Druga Pradhan, medical superintendent of the Bheri  Zonal Hospital said two more people died Saturday and 27 are under treatment at the hospital.

The hospital has been providing free medicines to the patients. nepalnews.com br Sept.1

Trolley bus rolls again

The suspended trolley bus service will resume partial service after two years between Tripureshwor and Koteshwor in the capital later Monday, officials said.

The service- a gift of China-- is being managed by Kathmandu, Thimi and Bhaktapur municipal corporations. Six buses will initially run on the route that links Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. nepalnews.com br Sept.1