Govt urged to release Kantipur editor and publishers

Post Report

JANAKPUR, June 9 - Nepali Congress central committee member and former Minister Bimalendra Nidhi has termed the arrests of the editor and the managing director and director of Kantipur daily as "foolish" and demanded their immediate release.

Talking to this reporter by telephone Nidhi said, "Freedom of expression of opinion is guaranteed in democracy. It is foolish on the part of the state to prevent the general public from exercising this constitutional right."

Similarly, central member of CPN (UML) and Janakpur zonal in-charge Ramchandra Jha termed this action of the government as "an attack against freedom of expression and freedom of press guaranteed by the constitution."

Jha also called for immediate release of the arrested editor and the managing director and director of Kantipur daily.

In the same way, Nepal Journalists’ Federation Dhanusha branch, at its meeting held on Friday, expressed its regret at the arrests of editor Yuva Raj Ghimire, Managing Director Kailash Sirohiya and Director Binod Raj Gyawali of Kantipur daily.

The branch also demanded their immediate release.

Similarly, this action of the government has been opposed by different associations and organisations, politicians, journalists, artists and general people of Janakpur.

Secretary of CPN (UML) in Dhanusha district, Shital Jha, said the government was trying to take revenge by arresting the responsible people of Kantipur Publications for their views expressed by the newspaper on Lauda scandal.

"The government is ready to give a red-carpet welcome to the Maoists for holding talks with them, but it is taking action against the newspaper which has published their views. What kind of justice is this?" he said.

Central Organisation Department Secretary of All Nepal Free Students Union Shree Prasad Saha called the government action as "frightening the daughter-in-law by beating the daughter."

A number of others including stage artiste Sunil Kumar Mallik, former player Abadhesh Pokhrel and chairman of Mithila Natya Kala Parishad Sunil Mishra urged the government to release the arrested people without delay.

Looted cardamom found hidden in a house

Post Report

BHADRAPUR, June 9 -Thirty-two bags of cardamom looted by unidentified men has been found in a house at Charpane five days after the incident, according to the police.

The cardamom, valued at about Rs 400,000, was being brought to Birtamod from Ilam when it was looted.

The cardamom was found hidden on the ground floor of the house belonging to Madhav Prasad Poudel of Charpane-6. It was sent to Suresh Bamsal of Birtamod in a truck with plate No. Na 1 Kha 6533 by a trader from Ilam Prakash, according to Police Inspector Sanjay Bhandari of Area Police Office, Birtamod.

According to truck driver Basu Dev Karki and cleaner Indra Basnet, the truck was taken in control by some people who claimed that they were Maoist workers. After threatening them they blindfolded them, took the truck to an unknown destination and unloaded the cardamom. Then they drove them to Birtamod along with the truck and left them at Birtamod at about 1 a.m.

According to local people, Maoists may not be involved in this film-style looting which was reported to the police 24 hours after the incident.

Truck driver Basu Dev Karki and cleaner Basnet were arrested and later released on condition that they would be present when required. The owner of the house where the cardamom was found has also been interrogated, but those involved in looting are yet to be traced, according to police.

It may be noted here that incidents of looting money occurred frequently here, but this is the first time that a loaded truck was looted.

GAA announces scholarships

KATHMANDU, June 9 (PR) - The Godavari Alumni Association (GAA), an alumni of the former students of St. Xavier’s School, today announced six annual scholarships in the name of late Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and late Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah.

According to the Alumni, the annual scholarship will be sponsored by GAA to three girls and three boys, all to bright and deserving students in village schools.

"The scholarships are in appreciation and remembrance for their support and help to the GAA," said Fr. Eugene L. Watrin S.J, moderator of GAA during a condolence meeting held today.

"Her Late Majesty Queen Aishwarya inaugurated our GAA Building on December 3, 1983...She also donated two shields for the Aishwarya Shield Spelling Contests and regularly graced the finals during the 27 years that the contest has been running," he further said.

"Likewise, Kumar Khadga Shah was the first President of GAA and a very helpful and interested member ever since", Fr. Watrin added. "He (Kumar Khadga) was very helpful in arranging for Kayur Rana to donate the land for GAA Building...He attended most of our important functions in the past 40 years."

Census teams begin work

Post Report

TULSIPUR (Dang), June 9 - The District Census Office, Dang has said it has mobilised 292 enumerators to collect family and personal data from today by visiting each home in the district under the National Census 2058 BS.

According to office chief Dhrub Raj Ghimire, enumerators will visit all the people in their homes from Sunday and start collecting answers to 19 family-related and 31 individual-related questions.

Earlier, enumerators were selected from among primary school teachers and given necessary training at the Area level.

According to Data Assistant Kapil Subedi, an office was established at the Area level and the supervisor had given necessary training to the enumerators. Moreover, to enable the enumerators to function smoothly, supervisors have been assigned at the rate of one supervisor for four enumerators.

Arrangement has been made to complete collection of both family and individual data in 12 days, Ghimire said.

New questionnaires have also been prepared this year incorporating various aspects, such as women, children, disabled people, migration, child marriage, economic activities and so on. They are designed to draw various information which are of vital importance to formulate national development plans.