Timber smuggling rampant in Syangja

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PALPA, Oct 19:A lack of awareness among the people and the unsystematic way of settlement in the jungles of Syangja district has led to a rise in timber smuggling in the Lamdada and Bhaisepani VDCs.

Till two years back, the forest was thick with Sal trees but now it is gradually becoming bare, according to locals.

Though the forest has been protected by the locals under the proposed community forest, it is observed that the smuggling racket is going on unchecked as the forest has not been completely handed over to the locals for supervision.

The villagers around the Sal forest region collect fodder, wood, and are involved in making charcoal that is necessary for making of metal utensils.

One of the locals said, that though a committee was formed for the protection of the forest, due to lack of proper care-taking, timber smuggling is on the rise.

The local educated people see the need to train the illiterate locals about the importance of the forests to human beings, the consequences that the deforestation can bring to the environment, and the duty of community people in the proper management and the protection of the forests.

Those living at the roadside said that since the people of that village are not directly involved with the protection and supervision, in the cover of the night timber is smuggled away in tractors.

Lightning disrupts telephone in Bhojpur

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BHOJPUR, Oct 19:The communication has remained disrupted since a week in Bhojpur, the district headquarters as well as some of the VDCs due to the thunderbolt that struck the telecommunications tower in Bhojpur on Friday night.

Because of this mishap, there has been problem of communication between the District Administration Office, District Police Office, and the Army Barrack. Besides this, the general public could not telephone their relatives during the Dashain festival. The Acting Chief District Officer Madhav Prasad Pokharel told The Kathmandu Post that the local phones have gone out of order, that has hampered the daily administrative works.

The locals could not even make use of the 50 percent discount provided by Nepal Telecommunication Corporation as a festival bonanza. Around 177 telephone lines were distributed under the C-DOT technology in the district headquarters of Bhojpur.

According to the supervisor of the Regional Telecommunication Office Krishna Koirala who was sent to Bhojpur on Friday for the repair work, the lines will resume as soon as the flaws in the soft-ware data and the control card caused by the lightening are corrected.

Thunder and lightning have time and again damaged the telecom towers but this time the damage caused much inconvenience as it happened during the Dashain festival, said one local.

17 injured in bus mishap

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RAUTAHAT, Oct 19:At least four people were injured seriously and thirteen other sustained minor injuries when a local passenger bus fell 15 feet from the road at Thulomode of Santapur VDC today, said Lalan Prasad Kurmi, Deputy Superintendent of Police of Rautahat police office.

Fifty to sixty passengers were aboard the bus, which was heading to Malangawa of Sarlahi district from Gaur, district headquarters of Rautahat.

The four seriously injured were sent to Birgunj hospital for treatment whereas thirteen other injured passengers returned home after treatment at a local primary health care centre, the DSP said.

The seriously injured are Deuki Shah Toli of Dewari Gonahi village, Dhan Raj Mukhiya of Santapur VDC, Bramha Dev Magat of Manpurbisun village and Ramkant Shah of Bagai VDC, according to the DSP.

According to a passenger, the bus carrying 50/60 passengers went out of control before it went off the road. He also stated that a conductor and not the driver, was driving the bus. The Police are on the look out for the driver and his helper who are absconding.

Purbanchal University construction starts

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BIRATNAGAR, Oct 19 : Authorities have started the construction works of the Purbanchal University (PU) premises in the forest area of Sundarpur VDC of Morang district. Unable to find a donor to sponsor its ten-year masterplan, construction work started with the internal resources of PU.

Having acquiring 805 bighas of forest area in the VDC, the University had not been able to start construction in the past seven years.

"After waiting for seven years we have finally started the work. Even this belated move is a positive step," said Toran Bahadur Karki, the Vice-Chancellor at PU.

Since no donors turned up to fund the 10-year project worth three billion rupees, PU authorities are working on a three-year plan estimated to cost over 170 million rupees. The recent construction work was initiated with 50 million rupees of PU funds, according to Karki.

"PU solely depends on the government for the completion of its three year construction project," Karki said.

The three-year plan envisages the construction of a central campus, student’s hostel and residence for the PU staff.

Due to lack of proper care, the forest area allocated for the construction of PU premises is being depleted fast. The 10-year masterplan aims to develop agriculture, forest system and herbal research system on the remaining area after the construction of the PU premises.

There are 61 educational institutions affiliated with PU running 30 educational programmes in five separate faculties. Dr. Krishna Prasad Sharma, PU Registar, claimed that the educational standard of PU was at par with international institutions.

Tired of violence, people turn to religion

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DADELDHURA, Oct 19 : Locals in most of the VDCs in Dadeldhura district are not concerned with the changing political scenario of the country. Harassed by the Maoist insurgency and continued interrogation by the army, they have resorted to religious belief for mental relief.

"We have no option except to pray the God that no Maoists enter our house in the evening or at night. The rebels forcefully enter the house for food and shelter while the army charges us the next day for helping the rebels," said Narpal Dhami, a resident at Jogbudha VDC-3.

People at the VDCs affected by the Maoist insurgency like Jogbudha, Shirsha and Alital are passing sleepless nights. "Security forces come for patrolling occasionally and Maoist rebels occupy the area once the security personnel leave," said a local.

The people in the affected VDCs remain at work in the farms during the day to avoid police interrogation and return only in the evenings.

They have renovated the temple of Siddhababa at the locality and perform pujas here praying for peace and order.

Koshi Highway in dire need of repair

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DHANKUTA, Oct 19:Vehicle traffic along the 52-kilometre Koshi highway is risky and difficult, as the much-needed repair work has not been completed yet. Debris lie piled up in several parts of the road ravaged by flash floods during monsoon this year.

Concerned authorities say that a budget constraint, lack of manpower as well as a lack of required tools are the main factors delaying the repair and maintenance of the road.

Official estimates put the damage by floods and landslide along the road at around forty million rupees, with the Simsuwa-Hile section of the road being most severely affected, according to sources at the Eastern Road Division Office (ERDO).

The Swollen Leuti river had washed away 20 metres of the road at Simsuwa-Hile section while several mounds of debris need to be cleared, informed ERDO sources.

"It may take two months to repair the road. In the absence of adequate tools and manpower, repair and maintenance work is rather slow," said Dhan Kumar Shakya, an Overseer of the ERDO.

Shakya also stated budget crunch as another prime impediment to the repair and maintenance of the road. "Though forty-one hundred seventy-five thousand rupees has been appropriated for the repair work, the amount is yet to arrive," said Shakya.

Ex-Major Khatry’s last rites performed

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KATHMANDU, Oct 19:Deeply shocked by his sudden death, family members and friends of Mohan Bahadur Khatri gathered at the Aryaghat at Gokarneshwore Mahadev temple today to pay their respects at his cremation.

There was an eerie silence of disbelief and sorrow while his son performed the last rites. His son huddled in front of his father’s burning body was unable to speak due to the shock.

"A pure social worker has been brutally removed from society," said Bijaya Man, a school friend, at the Aryaghat.

Khatri, 46, a retired Major of the Royal Nepal Army was brutally murdered by a group of armed Maoists Thursday evening at his residence at Mude of Jethal Village Development Committee (VDC).

Khatri had been running his own resort at Mude bordering Sindhupalchowk and Dolakha district. According to family members, he had been living in the village with his wife for the last eight years.

Khatri was popular as a social worker in the area where he had helped run public schools, opened a health centre and provided the locals access to piped drinking water.

"We renovated the local school in the village," said his wife, Krishna Kamal Khatri. "Similarly, we have also completed the initial stages in upgrading a sub-health post in Attapur VDC."

A local villager of the area also said that Khatri used to provide his private car for use as an ambulance. "He was a very kind man, his death brings great shock to the villagers," added the villager.

His wife said that they begun building the health post so that the locals could receive treatment in the village instead of going to Kathmandu. "We also provide scholarships to around 35 students in the villages each year."

According to family members, his wife was at his side on cruel Thursday night. They were having dinner when a group of Maoists entered their house.

"The Maoists let Khatri’s wife live because she had children," said a family member. "He was brutally murdered and hacked in several parts of his body."

When asked if the Maoists had threatened Khatri in the past his family declined to answer. However, a friend said that Khatri believed he was not a threat to the Maoists as he was a social worker helping society.

The police said that the rebels first shot him and then hacked him to death. Khatri was killed after being taken forcibly a few yards away from the resort where he was staying with his family.

The rebels also set ablaze his two private cars parked in the premises of the resort. Khatri’s body was first taken to a Bahrabise Health Centre for post-mortem yesterday after which it was brought to Kathmandu for the last rites. Two daughters and a son survive Khatri.

Convention on Nepal Bhasha literature held 

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BHAKTAPUR, Oct 19:The 22nd Convention of Nepal Bhasha Literature Tahamujya held today brought together different poets, critics and intellectuals to discuss on the development of Nepal Bhasha, the language of the Newari community.

As part of the convention, poem and essay competition was also organised. In the poem contest young poet Dilip Khadgi’s poem ‘Shanti Ya Juko Chhapwa Chilakh Chyaketena’ (Message of Peace) was adjudged best out of 70 Newari poems from across the country. Shambhu Prajapati of Bhaktapur was declared second and Anil Deshemaru third in the contest.

On the occasion, story writing and recitation contest was also held. In the competition, Prabhat Suwal, Bina Prajapati and Shova Prajapati stood first, second and third respectively. The winners of the poem contest received Siddhi Lumanti Sirpa prize whereas the successful storywriters were given Ashakaji Lumanti Sirpa prize.

The Chairman of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, Narayan Man Bijukchhe gave away the prizes.

Poets Madhav Ghimire, Shyam Das Baisnab, Jankabikeshari Dharma Raj Thapa, Critic Krishna Chandra Singh Pradhan, academician Toya Gurung, satirist Chatyang Master, Purna Vaidya, Pratisara Sayami and journalist Bhairab Risal were present on the occasion. Some invited poets also recited their creations during the convention.

For the development of Nepal Bhasha, Newari literature, art and culture this type of yearly convention is being organised for the last two years. Essay competition, drama performance, and traditional dances were presented on the occasion.

Mahayagya for construction of late Majesties’ statue starts

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KATHMANDU, Oct 19 : Former minister Jog Mehar Shrestha inaugurated a week-long Mahayagya on Friday being held by Shree Paanch Birendra Smitri Pratisthan with an aim of collecting fund for the construction of statue of late King Birendra and Queen Aishworya.

Speaking at the function Shrestha said that the Pratisthan’s aim to commemorate the late king and queen through religious way is very praiseworthy. The Shreemad Bhagwat Mahayagya formally started on Saturday at the Gandhi Adarsha Secondary School in Gothatar.

On June 1 this year, Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, chairman of Raj Parishad Standing Committee laid the foundation stone of the statue, which will be unveiled only on Push 14, the birthday of late king Birendra.

The money collected during the weeklong Mahayagya will be spent in building of the statue. A committee has been formed under the co-ordination of Krishna Hari Thapa, vice-chairman of the Pratisthan for organising the Mahayagya. Pandit Narayan Prasad Pokhrel, Chairman of the World Hindu Federation, will conduct the Mahayagya.

The statue is to be made by Arniko Stone Carving and estimated cost is around Rs 1,20,000. The statue will be be installed on a piece of land at Birendra Chowk of Gothatar village.

Delay in results publication results in wasted year

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KATHMANDU, Oct 19 : Thousands of students are losing one academic year because the Higher Secondary Education Council (HSEC) delayed publication of results of their grade eleven supplementary examinations taken five months ago.

More than 11,000 students, are not able to enroll in colleges due to a delay caused by the HSEC in announcing their results.

These students are forced to abandon their classes until the next academic year as most campuses, including Tribhuvan University (TU) have closed their admissions for this year.

"The Council has directly played upon their future and turned out highly irresponsible," said Suprabhat Bhandari, President of the Nepal Guardians Association.

"These students must not squander away their single year. The government must immediately provide an alternative to help these students enroll into colleges within this year," he said.

Amir Pandey, Controller of Examinations, however, blames the late arrival of the answer papers from the insurgency-hit districts which has caused an inordinate delay in publication of the results. According to Pandey, the delay was also caused by the absence of member secretary at the HSEC.

According to a source at the Ministry of Education and Sports, following the resignations tendered by Sriram Lamichhane, member secretary of the HSEC two months ago, the tabulation of the results has been badly hampered. "Now only a miracle could help these students get admission into campuses," said the source.

The deadline set for admission in TU and other public campuses expired two months ago and it is unlikely that these students will be allowed any admissions in diploma.

"We are helpless because the results were not announced within that stipulated date," said Dr. Navin Prakash Jung Shah, Vice-Chancellor of TU.

Though the Council has requested that universities and campuses postpone admission deadlines, it is unlikely that most campuses and universities would easily give in to the demand of the Council.

"It is up to TU whether or not it wants these students to waste their one year," Controller Pandey said.

"We might consider offering some seats but we doubt if at all our campuses have any capacity to accommodate them all," vice-chancellor Shah said.

An estimated 60,000 students passed their SLC supplementary examinations conducted last year of which about 38,000 students were unable to enroll into TU and its affiliated campuses.

Meanwhile, Tribhuvan University has decided to announce the result three months after the examinations are over. The TU had earlier delayed announcing the results by almost six months. This was done to avoid unnecessary delay in starting classes and for timely completion of the course.

Free health camp for flood victims

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KATHMANDU, Oct 19:A free health camp was arranged for flood victims of Sungdal and Dipsung villages of eastern district of Khotang, said Sungdel-Dipsung Flood Rehabilitation Committee here today.

The health camp was organised in co-ordination with B.P. Koirala Health Science Institute, Dharan for flood victims of the remote villages of the district. A flood in the second week of July, caused heavy casualties.

One thousand and seven hundred flood victims benefited from the health camp that lasted for a month, according to Pramod Rai Koi, the doctor involved in the health camp, serviced by a team of five doctors and eight nurses.

UN Park Committee acquire Lalitpur land

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KATHMANDU, Oct 19:United Nations Park Development Committee (UNPDC) has received several propsals for various constructions on the 765-ropani land along the Bagmati river it has acquired recently.

The UNPDC has only received the registration certificate of land that fall in Lalitpur district. The committee is yet to receive the certificate of the land that fall at the other side of the river in Kathmandu district. Various guthis and individuals were reported trying to acquire the land.

"We have received the proposal for the construction of a children park, wire bridge along others," said Ramesh Jung Rayamajhi, executive chairman of the UNPDC. "Eco Nepal has proposed to construct a 11-km long wire bridge from Balkumari to Balkhu."

The committee will consider the proposals positively for to speed up the already delayed project.

A paddle-powered model wire bridge is being constructed in Nakkhu. The wire bridge proposed to the committee is electricity powered, said Rayamajhi. DANIDA is also interested to construct green belt or cycle lane along the Bagmati river, it was learnt.

Similarly, Devendra Khadgi, who is operating a Children’s Park at Bhrikuti Mandap, has proposed to run a children’s park on the land at Ward No 1 and 10 of Lalitpur Sub-metropolitan City. The proposal also include plan for a mini-zoo.

Government has decided to turn 1,200-ropani of land on the both sides of Bagmati river stretching from Sankhamul to Teku Dobhan into a park to commemorate 50th anniversary of United Nations but the project is yet to take any shape.

Cine artists meet Home Minister, IGP demanding probe on suicide case

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KATHMANDU, Oct 19:A newly formed joint committee of cinema related personnels has started working in a war footing to pressure concerned authority to probe into the suicide case of emerging actress Shreesha Karki.

The 24-year-old actress was found hanging at her residence at Chabahil of Kathmandu last Monday, five days after a vernacular weekly, Jana-astha, published a news story about her personal life with a nude picture of her. The family members have alleged the weekly of practicing yellow journalism and are demanding probe as they believed Karki committed suicide after going under trauma.

As part of the programme launched by the Joint Struggle Committee against Shreesha Karki Suicide Case, a delegation today demanded strong action against the culprit during the meeting with Home Minister Dharma Bahadur Thapa and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pradip Shumsher JBR today.

According to a press release issued by the committee, both the minister and IGP have shown commitment to probe into the case and to take strict action on the concerned people if found guilty.

The release also states that the home minister had said that the government is committed to give justice to the victim’s family. The delegates led by co-ordinator of the committee Basundhara Bhusal, chairperson of Nepal Cine Artists Association (NCAA) also met chiefs of District Police Office of the three districts of the valley.

"The police has taken the case as a challenge and is working hard to arrest the alleged persons," the release quoted Amar Singh Shah, Deputy Inspector General of Police. The delegation complained that the police failed to arrest the editor of the weekly and two reporters who wrote the report although a week has passed.

The family members of Karki also claimed that a man introducing himself as related to the weekly has tried to blackmail Karki before the news and photo was published.

"The unidentified man calling himself a journalist was asking for Rs 10,000 but when she refused to pay the money, he told her to see the coming issue of the weekly," said Karki’s bereaved father Dal Bahadur Karki. He is in mourning rites at his residence.

"She was very depressed when she saw the news article," said the father. "We asked editor Kishor Shrestha for the explanation who in turn was demanding money while taking excuses."

The bereaved father accused Shrestha as the murderer of his daughter and demanded the action against him.

Basundhara Bhusal, who is actively involved in the case, said that this is not only the character assassination of Shreesha but of all the cine artists. "Shreesha was compelled to take the step after the news and picture was published. For a woman, her character is the most important thing. The newspaper attacked her character and she had no other way left," Bhusal added.

Actress Karishma Manandhar said that the reporters were prejudiced against the whole cine artists, not only Shreesha Karki. The committee has also formed five sub-committees to hold protest programmes.