No letup in 'anti-regression' protests 

The five agitating political parties, supported by seven student unions affiliated to them, continued their anti-‘regression’ demonstrations in the capital for the 25th consecutive day on Sunday. 

A rally began in Koteswor this morning which marched through major thoroughfares. Police intervened at Putali Sadak and arrested dozens of leaders and party activists. 

Another rally that began from New Road, clashed with the police, several agitators were injured and over a hundred were taken into custody. Nepali Congress general secretary Sushil Koirala, central leader Ram Chandra Poudel and UML leader Ishwor Pokhrel were among the apprehended. 

The five party alliance organized demonstrations in Kirtipur, Lalitpur and Sahkhu as well.

Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress (D) that is carrying out separate protests demanding the restoration of the Sher Bahadur Deuba government staged protests for the fifth day in a row. 

The NC-D rally started from Lalitpur and marched through Mangal Bazaar, Pulchowk, Thapathali and Tripureshwor. Security personnel intervened near Sundhara and arrested dozens of leaders and cadres including the party general secretary Bijaya Gachhedar and central leaders Chitra Lekha Yadav and Chiranjivi Wagle. nepalnews.com mbk April 25 04

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RPP to launch street protests on Thursday

The Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) may be in government, but it is also joining anti-government protests.

RPP treasurer and senior leader Deepak Bohora confirmed on Sunday after a central committee emergency meeting that his party was launching its own agitation on Thursday. 

Bohara said the government is the major obstacle in keeping the King and the political parties from coming to an understanding. “Unless the government is toppled, there will be no solution,” he said. Central committee members Prathibha Rana and Parasu Ram Khapung were reportedly against the RPP joining the agitation. nepalnews.com mbk April 25 04

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NEPSE index gains 1.34 points

The NEPSE index registered an increment of 1.34 points after five-day trading on Friday.

The market opened at 202.72 points Monday and closed at 204.06 points Friday. Altogether 79,049 shares of 38 out of 58 listed companies worth Rs.34.7m were traded during the period. 

Commercial bank share index gained 9.30 points during the week; it rose from 191.90 points to 201.20 points. nepalnews.com pd Apr 25 04

Student unions announce further protests

Seven students’ unions affiliated to various political parties have announced further protests beginning Monday.

Guru Ghimire, President of the Nepal Students’ Union (NSU) told Nepalnews they will prohibit ‘regressive forces’ from entering campus premises this week. “We will also forbid government-owned vehicles in front of the government campuses throughout the country,” he added.

Similarly, the NSU affiliated to the Deuba Congress also announced its own protest programs against ‘regression’. It will ban police from gathering near government colleges, organise a 15-minute chakkajam in front of all government campuses affiliated to Tribhuvan and Mahendra University and organize ‘whistle rallies’. nepalnews.com pd Apr. 25 04

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RPP denies joining agitation 

The ruling Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has denied news reports that it is joining the street protests by the five-party anti-King alliance. 

The party is holding an emergency meeting on Sunday afternoon to discuss its public stance, spokesperson Roshan Karki told Nepalnews.

Karki underlined the need for talks between the King and the political parties. “The government must not come between the King and the parties, and it must withdraw the prohibitory order and release arrested party leaders and cadres,” she added. nepalnews.com pd Apr 25 04

‘Maoists to free Ilam captives through UN mediation’

A central committee member of the Maoists, Bamdev Chettri said Saturday that his party was willing to release the 42 policemen abducted from Pashupatinagar of Ilam district on March 7 through UN mediation, reports said Sunday.

"Talks between high-level Maoist leaders and the UN representatives are ongoing regarding the release of the Ilam captives,” Rajdhani daily quoted Chettri as saying in Gulmi district. “We will free them as soon as the UN accepts our offer,” he added. nepalnews.com pd Apr 25 04

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Children rescued from circus in Sunsari

Eighteen Nepalese children were rescued from the ‘Asia Circus’ in Sunsari on Saturday with the help of local police and child welfare groups, according to news reports.

The circus had been performing in Inaruwa from April 22 was owned by Abdul Makar of Benaras, India, according to a report in the The Himalayan Times on Sunday. 

Quoting Police Inspector Siddhi Bikram Shah, the report said the children had been forced to perform risky shows in the circus for the past few years. Asia Circus has now been shut down and the proprietor is in police custody. 

The children have been handed over to the group, CWIN. nepalnews.com pd Apr 25 04

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Journalist Thapa passes away

Journalist Puskar Thapa, who sustained serious head injuries in a traffic accident three days ago, died at Bir Hospital on Saturday.

A mini-bus hit Thapa at Sina Mangal while he was riding his motorcycle to a reporting assignment. He was rushed to Kathmandu Medical College, from where he was referred to Bir Hospital and didn’t regain consciousness.

Thapa, 31, worked for Space Time daily in Kathmandu since the paper was started four years ago and is survived by his wife and three daughters.

Nepalnews.com family expresses deep sorrow over his untimely demise. nepalnews.com Apr 25 04

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FNJ calls journalists to boycott PM, ministers

The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) has urged all journalists to boycott programs attended by the Prime Minister and other Cabinet members.

Last week, the FNJ gave an ultimatum to the government demanding the expulsion of Communications Minister Kamal Thapa, accusing him of being responsible for manhandling and arrests of journalists covering the five parties' agitation. 

The government ignored the ultimatum, and the FNJ launched a fresh series of protest programs from Saturday. nepalnews.com mr Apr 25 04

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Southern borders sealed off 

Nepali and Indian security forces have closed some border points in the run-up to elections in some Indian regions bordering Nepal on Monday. 

Reports in the Kathmandu media said border checkpoints in Mohottari, Dhanusha, Siraha and Rautahat districts have been closed and security tightened. The restrictions will be lifted after the polls are over, officials said. 

Security officials from both sides were also reported to have agreed to exchange information about Maoist activities on either side of the border.

nepalnews.com mbk April 24 04

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