HURON laments cops’ death

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb 22 - Human Rights Organisation of Nepal, HURON, today expressed grief over the death of Inspector Shree Ram Acharya and fourteen other policemen who died in a bomb explosion on Feb 19.

The bomb explosion which occurred at Rolpa was placed by Maoist insurgents. Twenty policemen were also injured in the incident.

According to a press release issued by the organisation, insurgents are depriving people of their fundamental right to live. On behalf of all human rights organisations, it has appealed to the Maoists to end violence and address their grievances in a peaceful way.

Accords signed

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb 22 - Two separate agreements were signed between Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Rural Development Tuki Association (RDTA), Charikot, Dolakha and Tuki Association Sunkoshi (TASK), Lamosangu, Sindhupalchowk, states SDC press release issued here today.

Anton Hagen, Resident Coordinator of SDC on behalf of SDC and Benu Bahadur Karki, Chairman of RDTA on behalf of Dolakha Tuki have signed the agreement paper. Likewise Anton Hagen, Resident Coordinator of SDC on behalf of SDC and Padma Dhoj Lama the chairman of the TASK on behalf of Sindhuli Tuki have signed in the agreement paper, the release sates.

According to the release, the support is mainly for the institutional development of the two Tuki Associations and the community development activities in two districts to be implemented by RDTA and TASK. The support covers the period of 4 years. The sup[port from SDC for RDTA is Rs 1,71,00,000 and for TASK is 1,32,75,000.

The two Tuki Associations have been working in institutional strengthening and community development activities in Dolakha and Sindhupalchowk districts. The Focused programme of the Tuki Associations are to aware and empower the rural people and Tukis and generate income through enhanced agricultural practices mainly in cash crop production, in the respective command areas, states the release.

According to the release, SDC has been instrumental in providing direct support to the Tuki Associations for more than eight years.

Watchman kills dacoit

By a Post Reporter

MORANG, Feb 22 - A watchman of Sahakari Sanstha Limited (Cooperative Organisation Office) of Biratnagar Kanchanbari killed a dacoit who had broken in and looted office property. According to Police Inspector Sharad Kumar Khatri of Morang District Police, the watchman, Gyan Bahadur Tamang, noticed the intrusion of a gang of about 7 dacoits around 3 a.m. Monday night. The theives had already entered the cash transaction section of the cooperative and were caught in the act of breaking a wardrobe.

Tamang drove the dacoits out. As they were fleeing, he attacked one of them, Mohammed Asta Alam alias Pappu of Biratnagar Sub-Metropolitan City-7, with a spear. He drove the spear through the back and across the chest, watchman Tamang told the police. The man died on the spot.

The post-mortem of the dacoit was conducted promptly and his body has been handed over to his father Basim Miya. According to Police Inspector Khatri, Pappu was a professional dacoit and he was wanted by the police in connection with other cases.

Khatri has also informed that the dacoits failed to escape with any property. Police to reward the watchman on behalf of District Police Office and are still questioning him.

Chitrakars dominate photo exhibition

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb 22 - "Unveiling Royal Nepal", a photography exhibition depicting the cultural heritage and social transformations of Nepal started yesterday at Palais des Nations, Geneva.

According to a press release issued by the United Nations Office at Geneva, the exhibition was inaugurated by the Director-General of UN Office at Geneva Vladimir Petrovsky and the Ambassador of Nepal Shambhu Ram Simkhada.

The photographs which date back to the early 20th century are taken by the Chitrakar family. Three generation of Chitrakars are represented in the exhibition. Late Dirgha Man Chitrakar was the first official court photographer from 1901 to 1945 during the Rana regime. His son, Ganesh Man Chitrakar had taken over his job. Recent photographs of Kiran Man Chitrakar (son of Ganesh Man) is also included on the exhibition.

The exhibition will continue till 2 March 2000.

Disease kills 50 goats in Morang

By a Post Reporter

MORANG, Feb 22 - About fifty goats died of a disease called Entero Toxemia at ward Nos 5 and 9 of Kerabari VDC of Morang district, Dr Bodh Prasad Parajuli, chief of District Livestock Office Morang told The Kathmandu Post.

This disease is curable, but due to a lack of awareness among the goat farmers, they did not make contact with the veterinary hospital in time, Dr Parajuli said.

The disease is caused by a virus called clostridia which causes the stomach to swell, paralyses the body and ultimately death. Upon learning the outbreak of the disease, Livestock Office veterinarians provided treatment and brought the disease under control to some extent, Dr Parajuli informed.

Entero Toxemia, a contagious disease, has been afflicting goats in this VDC over the past one month. Doctors are using the medicine Sulphadimidin to contain the spread of the disease and further investigation is under way.

Local farmers have taken to goat farming because paddy, maize and other crops do not grow abundantly, but they have become discouraged about the future of the livestock due to the disease.

Three die in separate mishaps

By a Post Reporter

Janakpur, Feb 22 - Three people have died in the three separate accidents that occurred in the last five days at Laxamania chowk of Dhanusa district.

Last Saturday afternoon, Ram Asish Ravidas’s 10-year-old daughter, Rita Kumari died when a truck with the number J.Ah.Tha 710, ran over her. The truck was carrying crates of cocacola and beer.

In another incident, last Thursday, resident of Kumharoda, Mahanya Yadav’s 25-year-old son died in a bus accident.

Likewise,in the third accident that occurred in five days, a child was killed.

The locals have erected a holy idol at a chowk to pray for those who have died in the accidents.

NTC asked to withdraw decision

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb 22 - The Birgunj town committee of the main opposition party CPN-UML today demanded the Nepal Transport Corporation (NTC) take back its decision to plot and sell Railway road of Birgunj sub-metropolitan city.

The Railway road is fast developing as a crucial main road and inner by-pass of the commercial and industrial town at the Nepal-India border.

Dhakal passes away

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb 22 - Former Administrator Yogendra Purush Dhakal passed away at the age of 75 due to a heart attack, family members said.

Late Dhakal had served at various government agencies for 45 years. He is survived by his wife, three sons and four daughters.

Former Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Dipendra Purush Dhakal is his eldest son.