FNCCI calls on Maoists to end blockade, strikes

The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries has urged the Maoists to call off the indefinite blockade in the Kathmandu Valley and end the forceful closure of a dozen major industries.

Issuing a press statement Saturday, FNCCI president Binod Bahadur Shrestha said the Maoists should end the strikes and the indefinite blockade with respect to the right of the citizens to live in a peaceful environment and their right to open industries and other businesses.

"FNCCI calls on the Maoists and its trade union to immediately withdraw the blockade and the strikes in big industries and opt for dialogue for the peaceful settlement of the disputes," FNCCI statement read.

The FNCCI statement comes following a forceful closure of 12 big industries by the Maoist trade union since Monday and the indefinite blockade imposed by its umbrella organization, the CPN-Maoist, in the Kathmandu valley beginning August 18. nepalnews.com mbk Aug 21 04

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Two Maoists killed in Panchthar

At least two Maoists were killed in separate encounters with security forces in Panchthar district on Friday.

According to reports, one Maoist was killed at Oyam area and another in Tharku in daylong fighting. Security forces have recovered four socket bombs and some explosives from the incident site.

Meanwhile, an area commander of the CPN-Maoist in Siraha district has quit the rebel organization. Jagannath Tamang, secretary of No. 3 Area Committee made the announcement through a statement on Friday, a report said. nepalnews.com mbk Aug 21 04

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Foreign Ministry asks embassy in Pakistan to report on Iraq hostages

The Foreign Ministry has asked the Nepalese embassy in Pakistan to investigate and report about the alleged abduction of 12 Nepali workers by a militant group in Iraq.

Media reports quoting ministry sources Saturday said the Nepalese embassy in Pakistan, which oversees the country’s diplomatic affairs with Iraq, has been informally asked to find out the truth as the government still lacks an authentic report about the incident.

An Arabic website Friday had published a report saying militants have taken hostage 12 Nepalis on Thursday charging them of assisting the American military. The incident has yet to be confirmed independently.

Although, the government has not opened work permit for Iraq considering the difficult security situation, hundreds of Nepalis are believed to have entered there through illegal channels. nepalnews.com mbk Aug 21 04

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Petrol and kerosene to be sold from different outlets

The government has enforced the provision of selling petrol and diesel from different outlets beginning Saturday. The decision was taken amid widespread complaints that most of the dealers were selling petrol adulterated with kerosene.

The government had postponed its decision to enforce the new provision last April amid protests by the Nepal Petroleum Dealers Association. The Association later agreed to implement the decision.

As per the government decision, petrol and kerosene will have to be sold from different outlets at a distance of 300 meters in the urban areas and at a distance of one kilometer in the rural areas. nepalnews.com by Aug 21 04

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Police officer shot dead in capital

Suspected Maoists Saturday morning shot and killed a junior police officer on duty at a police post in the Nepali capital, Kathmandu, police said.

An Assistant Sub Inspector of Police, Prithvi Bahadur Singh, was shot two times and declared dead while being rushed to a hospital at around 8 AM. Singh was stationed in Chabahil police post. 

The police added that a search operation is underway to track down the murderers. No group has taken the responsibility of the incident so far. nepalnews.com pd Aug 21 04 

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Special Court summons former IGPs in graft case

The Special Court issued summons to three former Inspector Generals of Police (IGPs) to appear before the court within 15 days.

A three-member bench of judges comprising Top Bahadur Magar, Govinda Prasad Parajuli and Bhopdhoj Adhikari issued the order on Friday.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority had last Friday filed separate cases against the former IGPs – Motilal Bohora, Achut Krishna Kharel and Pradip Shumsher Rana – on charges of amassing property illegally. nepalnews.com pd Aug 21 04

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Five feared dead in landslide

Five members of a family are feared dead and one injured when a landslide swept their house into the Bhotekoshi river at Tatopani Bazaar of Sindhupalchowk district Thursday night, reports said Saturday. 

According to reports, Ram Babu Gupta, the head of the family, was swept by the river tide to safety, while his wife, 2 sons, and 2 daughters are missing. 

The security forces have said the missing are feared dead. nepalnews.com pd Aug 21 04

Dalit couple sell 5-day-old son

A poor dalit couple, from Dhading, sold their 5-day-old son to a stranger, Kantipur dainik said Saturday.

According to the report, Mote kami and his wife Ambika sold their son to Lila Bahadur Bhandari of Lalitpur district on July 30. The baby was born in July 25.

The couple living in an abject poverty sold their son to alleviate their poverty, it is reported. nepalnews.com pd Aug 21 04

Nobody should suspect the UN’s role: Gautam

Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations, Kul Chandra Gautam, has said the Nepal government, Maoists and Nepal’s neighbours should not suspect the possible role of the UN in helping resolve the country’s long-running conflict.

“At a time when Nepal is accepting arms and fighter planes as assistance from foreign countries to be used in the domestic conflict, the debate whether Nepal should seek external support to restore peace is not an appropriate one,” he said.

Addressing a programme organised by the Nepal Council for World Affairs in Kathmandu Friday, Mr. Gautam said the UN could help not only in negotiations for peace but also in post-conflict reconstruction, development, disarmament and electorate assistance.

Mr. Gautam, who is also deputy director general of the UNICEF, called upon the Nepal government to remain positive towards UN cooperation “before it is too late.” 

Gautam, who is in a private visit, also urged the Maoists not to indulge in what he said a wrong evaluation that they enjoyed popular support in the middle of terror and intimidation. “If they think people do support them, they should give up guns and participate in elections,” he said.

“If the Maoists want to see the UN involvement, they should demonstrate that in actions, not just in words,” he added.
nepalnews.com by Aug 21 04

ADB grant for transport improvement

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 600,000 technical assistance grant to Nepal from the government of Japan to help improve transport connectivity in rural areas of Nepal.

According to the ADB, a 10-year long transport connectivity programme will be drawn up using the assistance. The planned project will help improve connections from the country’s strategic road network to rural areas through improved feeder and access roads, the Bank said.

ADB helped prepare a transport sector strategy for Nepal in 2002 and has provided seven loans totaling USD 198.4 million for the road sector since 1983.  nepalnews.com by Aug 21 04