Maharjan appointed GM at ADB

Ramchandra Maharjan has been appointed as the General Manager of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) for a period of five years, in accordance with the decision of the cabinet meeting held on August 28, RSS reported Tuesday.

Likewise, Deputy General Manager of ADB Madhav Prasad Upadhyay has been appointed as the executive chairman of the Insurance Committee for a period of four years. nepalnews.com mr Sept 2 

Man donates property to community forest

Hari Bahadur Seli of Mahamai VDC-9 of Ilam district has donated all of his property to the local Gaindey Community Forest, a report said Tuesday.

Seli has given his 15 ropanies of land to the forest users group. "With my help, the community forest can generate income with herbal and fruit farming in the land," Seli said.

It is not mentioned how the donor will sustain himself after the hand over of all his land to the community forest, RSS reported. nepalnews.com mr Sept 2

Five parties' meeting on prohibition-order

The five agitating parties are holding a joint meeting Tuesday morning to discuss the government's "undemocratic" prohibition orders aimed at disrupting the parties' "decisive" movement starting September 4, sources said. 

According to sources, the meeting is being held at the party office of People's Front, Nepal. Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala, CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and other senior most leaders of the five parties are taking part in the meeting.

"Most probably the parties will endorse a condemnation proposal against the government decision to impose prohibition," an informed source said. 

Fearing possible Maoist violence, the government Monday issued prohibition order banning all parties and common people from organising rallies, gatherings, sit-ins and distributing pamphlets from September 2 to 23 in some parts of Kathmandu valley. nepalnews.com mr Sept 2

Another petition against CIAA chief

Yet another writ petition has been filed at the Supreme Court Monday demanding resignation of Surya Nath Upadhyay, Chief Commissioner of Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), court officials said.

The petition said Upadhyay was involved in irregularities while he was secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture.

"CIAA's annual report for the fiscal year 2056/057 B.S. has categorically underlined that Upadhyay had some involvement in irregularities," claimed the petition filed by advocate Lila Raj Koirala.

Earlier, another writ petition filed at the apex court blamed Upadhyay of irregularities in Mahakali Irrigation Project while he was secretary at the Ministry of Water Resources. nepalnews.com mr Sept 2

'Gajurel used stolen passport'

Senior Maoist leader Chandra Prakash Gajurel alias Gaurav, whom the Indian customs officials arrested from Chennai airport, was traveling on a "stolen" British passport, a report said Tuesday quoting Kathmandu-based British Embassy.

"The part that he was traveling on a British passport is correct. But it was a stolen passport issued in a different name," The Kathmandu Post reported quoting an undisclosed Embassy official.

However, the official was not very certain about the nature of the British role, if any, in the investigation. "At the moment, Indian officials are investigating it."

Maoist politburo member Gajurel was arrested on August 20 while boarding a flight to London via Frankfurt. Reports attributed to Indian officials had it that Gajurel was traveling on a British passport.

Meanwhile, the report quoting "highly placed diplomatic sources" in Kathmandu, said another top Maoist leader Mohan Vaidya, alias Kiran, however, has landed in London. nepalnews.com mr Sept 2

US, UK envoys meet PM

Ambassadors of United States and United Kingdom Monday met Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa and stressed not to increase the rift with the parties, a published report said Tuesday.

"The ambassador duo impressed upon the PM that if the difference with the stirring parties was not resolved, it would only help the Maoists," The Kathmandu Post reported quoting "informed sources."

The government is believed to have been informed by domestic as well as international intelligence units about the possible presence of RDX explosives and sharpshooters in Kathmandu with the aim of infiltrating the protest and causing mass destruction, the report said.

"Both the governments as well as diplomats have shared this information with the leaders of political parties, pointing out that they have to own responsibility for any resultant violence and anarchy."

Owing to this, the Kathmandu-based international community has urged the parties to postpone their stir in view of infiltration by the Maoists and subsequent violence. nepalnews.com mr Sept 2

Curfew in Kirtipur, prohibition in Kathmandu

The Home Ministry Monday evening declared curfew in the Kirtipur area for tonight and issued "prohibition" orders in parts of Kathmandu valley banning all type of rallies, gatherings, sit-ins and distribution of pamphlets from September 2 to 23. 

In a statement, the Ministry said such a step was inevitable to safeguard life and property of civilians, political leaders and to maintain peace and security. In addition, the three District Administration Offices of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts issued the orders in three separate notices broadcast in Nepal Television. 

The orders have banned people from organising any type of gathering, rallies, sit-in protests or distributing or writing pamphlets, except for religious or customary purposes. Similarly, the orders have also disallowed five or more than five people to gather at a public place. 

In Kirtipur, the curfew order will be effective from11 p.m. Monday to 4 a.m. Tuesday, the notice said. The curfew will mainly be effective for the city area and adjoining villages and Kathmandu ring road. If such arrangements are disobeyed, the security forces will have the right to shoot on the spot. 

Citing reasons for such orders, the Ministry said it received information that some elements are trying to give rise to riots and violence during the five parties' movement. The Ministry has asked civilians and political parties to excuse the government for the inconvenience the orders have created. 

So far, the five political parties are non-committal to the government's such orders, which has visibly obstructed their "decisive" movement starting September 4. nepalnews.com mr Sept 1

UML issues circular to cadres

Communist Party of Nepal (UML) Monday gave direction to its party cadres to take active participation in the 7th phase protests to be carried out by the five-party alliance beginning September 4. 

A meeting of the UML Standing Committee at the party central office came up with the decision to send a circular to all the party members to join protests. “The party calls all the party members to join the protests without any hesitation,” read the press statement, issued after the meeting. 

The party also demanded early removal of Thapa government charging that the peace talks failed because it could not deal with the rebel side properly. UML has already declared that it would not shy away from the ongoing movement till the demands are met.  nepalnews.com mk Sept 1

Changa Chait Festival 

A kite flying competition is going to be held from September 6 onwards at Club Himalaya Nagarkot, a press release said.

The competition will pit various business houses, banks, travel agencies and other organizations against each other in a kite competition. The event will be held over three Saturdays: 6th, 13th with the winner decided on September 27.

The winner will be awarded two Kathmandu-Amsterdam-Kathmandu round trip tickets by Martinair and consolation prizes of free stay at Club Himalaya and Hotel Trek-O-Tel Pokhara. 

The event is open to the public with a Food Festival, drinks, live music, games for children and other events at the premises. 

The Club Himalaya organized event is supported by Nagarkot Naldum Tourism Development Committee and Flying Yetis Kite Flyers Club. nepalnews.com dr Sept 1

Crown Prince inaugurates China Festival 

Chairperson of the Royal Representative Council, Crown Prince Paras inaugurated the China Festival 2003 amid a function held in Kathmandu on the occasion of National Day of People’s Republic of China.

The festival also marks the 49 years of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China. The Crown Prince also observed Chinese acrobatics and photo exhibition.  

Addressing the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa said the festival will help boost the relationship between the two countries and will promote trade and cultural exchange. Highlighting the outstanding ties between the two countries, the Prime Minister said Nepal took her friendship with China in high esteem and will continue to do so.  

Speaking on the same line, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Wu Kong Yong maintained that Nepal and China have been great partners throughout. He further said that China has deep concerns over Nepal’s development and overall well being. WU assured that his country will remain as cooperative as ever. 

The festival being held at Birendra International Convention Centre, Kathmandu has 100 stalls. Trade fair, film festival, book fair and kites contest and cultural programs will be the main features of the weeklong festival. nepalnews.com mk Sept 1

TU exams postponed

The Tribhuvan University (TU) Monday announced adjournment of the ongoing first year exams of Bachelor Level citing "abnormal and uncomfortable" situation. 

In a statement Monday, the TU Office of the Exams Controller said the postponed exams would be held in December. Badrinath Shrestha, chief of the office, told a radio station that the exams would be  conducted in an "appropriate" time. 

The first year exams were obstructed due to student activists who were pressing the TU to halt exams, considering the five parties' "decisive" movement starting September 4. nepalnews.com mr Sept 1 

Maoists attempt to loot Baglung bank

A group of Maoists Monday afternoon attempted to loot a branch office of Nepal Bank Limited in Baglung bazaar severely injuring the bank treasurer, reports said. 

Some half a dozen armed Maoists stormed into the bank at around 2 p.m. and shot treasurer Meghnath Sharma. The assailants, however, could not loot the bank due to the alertness of the security in the bank. They escaped immediately after the incident. 

Reports from Sindhuli said five Maoists were killed in the crossfire at Sindhuli-Sarlahi border Saturday. Two were killed in Bahundanda village and three in Thunuwakhola village. 

Meanwhile, a report said altogether 21 Maoists and three security personnel were killed in the post-ceasefire-break period. nepalnews.com mr Sept 1

Police post bombed, other details

Maoist assailants hurled socket bombs and reduced a police post at Belchautara village of Tanahu to cinder at around 1 a.m. Monday, reports said.

No casualties have been reported in the incident, as the police personnel were on patrolling while the bombing took place. Official documents and furniture were totally destroyed in the incident.

Meanwhile, the District Administration Office Sarlahi has issued curfew order in Malangawa municipality and adjoining villages to be effective from Monday today, during 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. period.

In Panchthar, the District Administration Office has strictly ordered the local traders not to sell more than ten kg of rice to an individual at a time.

Such an order was issued for not to allow the Maoists to store rice, reports said. 
nepalnews.com mr Sept 1

Protests will go on - parties

The agitating five political parties Monday decided to carry on with their 7th phase of protests against “regression”, beginning September 4. This was made public after a meeting of top leaders of the five parties held at the central office of People’s Front Nepal this morning. 

The leaders discussed ways of how the joint movement could be run in a hassle-free manner especially in view of the Maoists’ spree of violence and government’s appeal to withdraw the programs.

“We will keep utmost caution so as not to invite infiltration from violent forces,” Arjun Narsingh KC, Central Working Committee member of Nepali Congress told reporters. 

The leaders said they have discussed the overall political scenario after the collapse of the ceasefire and the government’s policies regarding the Maoist conflict as well as the five-party movement. 

Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Kiorala, CWC leader KC, UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and Subash Nemwang, Chairman of Nepal Workers and Peasants’ Party Narayan Man Bijukchhe, People’s Front Nepal’s Amik Sherchan and Bharat Bimal Yadav and Hridayesh Tripathi of Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandi Devi) were present at the meeting. 

The meeting is to continue Tuesday also. nepalnews.com mk Sept 1 

Five-party meeting underway 

A meeting of five agitating political parties is underway at the central office of the People’s Front Nepal, Kathmandu. The meeting stated at 9.30 am Monday. 

According to sources, the meeting is expected to work out strategy for the 7th round of protests scheduled for September 4. Leaders of five parties will also discuss the scenario after the collapse of ceasefire and will come out with a common agenda, it is learnt. 

The UML and the Nepali Congress have already ruled out the possibility of withdrawing the protest and will continue until their demands are met. The five-party alliance consists of Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Nepal Worker’s and Peasant’s Party, People’s Front Nepal and Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandi Devi).
nepalnews.com mk Sept 1