'Maoists have grouped abducted policemen

Kathmandu, July 20 (RSS): Human rights organisations have said they are ready to act as a mediator for creating an atmosphere for holding talks between the Maoists and the government.

Members of the team of human rights activists made this remark while making public a report today after completing an observation tour of Rolpa to take stock of the situation arising out of the Holery incident and events unfolding after that.

The report states that the abducted policemen are safe and sound, they are being treated on humanitarian ground and arrangements have been made for food, lodging and medicines, according to a Maoist commander.

For security reasons, the police personnel have been kept in six different places in small groups.

The report says quoting Maoist sources that some of the prisoners will be released within 24 hours of the human rights activists reaching Kathmandu as a token of respect to their requests.

Nothing of the kind as publicized by the media that army personnel have holed up the Maoists, the Maoists have used children, women and other people as human shield, there was a cross-firing between the soldiers and the Maoists and dozens of guerrillas and members of the general public were killed was found.

During discussions with the people's militia commander, political commissioner, local people and representatives other parties, it was found that 42 soldiers first stationed at Bharalo Pakha and then they shifted to Nanga in Gairigaon. Another group of soldiers was stationed at Kapchen hilltop in Triveni market near Nuwagaon. The army men stationed at Kapchen hilltop left the place for Budhagaon on July 16, it is stated in the report.

During a press conference, member of the team Dr Mathura Prasad Shrestha said confrontations between the Maoist guerrillas and the Royal Nepalese Army are unlikely, and the Maoists have promised to release the abducted police personnel.

President of the Human Rights Organisation Sudip Pathak remarked that they did not meet the army, but the team was informed the army men exercised maximum patience.

CWIN chairman Gauri Pradhan and convenor of the peace talks people's committee Padma Ratna Tuladhar also expressed their views on the occasion.

112 so far killed in natural calamities

Kathmandu, July 20 (RSS): The death toll due to natural calamity following the beginning of monsoon in the country has so far reached 112.

Beginning from 15th of April to the end of June, 27 people have fallen victim to floods and landslides, nine to fire, 60 to gastroenteritis, one to hurricane and 15 to thunderstorm.

Some 6339 family were affected due to the incident, 20 injured, 70 heads of livestock perished, 1,144 houses were completely destroyed and 7.57 hectares of arable land were inundated resulting in a damage worth Rs. 69,767,684, according to Drug Abuse Control and Natural Disaster Management Department.

The government has been providing immediate help to the families affected by natural calamity through the district natural calamity relief committee constituted in every district under the chairmanship of the chief district officer.

Financial amount for the district committees is appropriated through the central natural disaster relief fund which receives an annual fund of around 25,000,000/.

Blinds air new vision on radio

Pokhara, July 20 (RSS): Blind persons from Pokhara Municipality have started airing "Drishti Chetana", a radio programme, by themselves.

The programme is said to be the first ever programme in Nepal run by the blind persons.

Two blind persons Srikant Sapkota and Rabindra Dawadi are the producers of the programme that is aired every week on Thurs day.

The programme aims at generating awareness against the discrimination meted out against the disabled and the blind persons in the society.

Municipalities discuss waste management

Bhaktapur, July 20 (RSS): A six-month training in solid waste management organised under the joint auspices of the technical training academy and U.D.L.E. concluded at Sanothimi today.

Altogether 20 representatives from 20 different municipalities in the country took part in the training.

Speaking on the occasion, general secretary of the Nepal Municipalities Federation Bidur Mainali said solid waste management has been a big problem for the municipalities and pointed out the need for the participants to use their knowledge towards resolving the problem and maintaing a clean and healthy environment.

Under secretary at the Local Development Ministry Achyut Prasad Koirala pointed out the need for the participation of the local community in resolving the problem of solid waste disposal.

Director of the academy Devi Prasad Dhala, programme convenor of U.D.L.E. Dr. Arnest Rachenbach and trainee Dhruva Bahadur Bhujyal also expressed their views on the occasion.

HM grants audience

Kathmandu, July 20 (RSS): His Majesty the King granted audience to ambassador of the Republic of Korea Ryoo See Yo and ambassador of the United States of America Ronald Peter Nash separately at the Royal Palace today.

UML discusses current issues

Kathmandu, July 20 (RSS): A meeting of the CPN (UML) standing committee chaired by party general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal today held serious discussions on the situation arising out of the resignation of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

The meeting has concluded that its relations with the next government will be based on what kind of policies it will adopt in future and what will be its role in implementing those policies.

Stating that if we fail to tackle the Maoist problem which has emerged as the most serious of all, Nepal the nation, the Nepalese people and the democratic movement will have to suffer unimaginable loss, the party concluded that a conducive atmosphere for holding talks with the Maoists has now been created with the Prime Minister's resignation and the new government should give top priority to resolving this problem through talks.

The party has emphasized wide-ranging reforms in the political, economic, social and administrative fields since the 18th meeting of its central working committee and pledged to raise its voice in favor of radical reforms in the coming days.

Observing that the Prime Minister's resignation has justified the party's long-standing demand because of his involvement in the RNAC-Lauda Air deal and his failure to resolve other problems, the party noted that it regards the Prime Minister's resignation as one of the significant achievements. The party also extended thanks to all the people who took part in the movement.

The 22nd meeting of the party's central committee will be held on August 4 and 5.

Nepal-Russia diplomatic ties marked

Kathmandu, July 20 (RSS): On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Russia, the Embassy of the Russian Federation Organised a reception here today.

Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya, Speaker Taranath Ranabhat, Rajparishad Standing Committee Chairman Dr Kesarjung Rayamajhi, leader of main opposition party Madhav Kumar Nepal, ex-prime ministers, ministers, MPs, journalists and various other distinguished personalities attended the function.

Charge d'affaires at the Russian Embassy Nikolai A. Listopadov welcomed the guests.

Marking the same occasion, the Nepal-Russia Friendship Association organised a function here today.

At the programme, ex-president of the friendship association Hari Krishna Shrestha and charge d'affaires at the Russian Embassy Nikolai A. Listopadov shed light on Nepal-Russia relations.

General secretary of the Association Dr Gopal Siwakoti shed light on the activities being carried out by the association.

Association president Krishna Prasad Bhandari presided.

Three NC leaders to contest poll

Kathmandu, July 20 (RSS): NC general secretary Sushil Koirala, ex-prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and ex-deputy prime minister Ram Chandra Poudel have decided to contest the elections to be held for the new leader of the NC Parliamentary Party.

Talking to journalists following the party's executive committee meeting at the Prime Minister's residence at Baluwatar today, the three leaders also expressed the view that healthy competition inside the party for a new leadership will further strengthen the party.

But despite their earlier declaration on joining the electoral fray, senior leader of the party Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and some influential youth leaders like Sailaja Acharya, Khum Bahadur Khadka, Chakra Prasad Bastola and Mahesh Acharya are in favour of a unanimous election of the parliamentary party leader.

Talking to RSS in this connection following the NC executive committee meeting, former prime minister Bhattarai pointed out the need for greater unity in the Nepali Congress in order to bail the country out of the present critical circumstances.

And for this unity the Nepali Congress should elect its parliamentary party leader unanimously, he added.

Responding to a query whether he would become the Prime Minister in case of a unanimous decision in his favor, Mr. Bhattarai ruled out any possibility of his being unanimoulsy elected the parliamentary party leader and also said that he does not wish to become Prime Minister.

Mr. Bhattarai said that he is in favour of the younger generation in the Nepali Congress leading the government.

Noting that the future of the Nepali Congress will depend on the commitment and ability of the party younger generation, Mr. Bhattarai urged this generation to become responsible and serious towards that end.

NC leader Shailaja Acharya said considering the present grave circumstances of the country, the Nepali Congress should elect its leader unanimously in order to maintain greater unity inside the party.

NC central member Khum Bahadur Khadka expressed the view that success of the younger generation in the party in electing the party leader unanimously would be beneficial for the party in the long run.

Another central member, Chakra Prasad Bastola, also agreed that a unanimous election of the NC parliamentary party leader would benefit the Nepali Congress.

Central member Mahesh Acharya expressed his determination to maintain unity inside the party by electing the leader of the parliamentary party unanimously.

Talking to RSS today, Mr. Acharya said that the rank and file of the party should push ahead with firm determination and with a spirit of mutual cooperation to fulfill the responsibility handed down to them by history.

In response to a question, the NC central member noted that the Nepali Congress is a democratic party and its leadership rests not merely with one particular person but with all friends from all strata and sections.

The new parliamentary party leadership will breathe new life into the party organisation and the government in upholding the party's glory and history, the NC leader remarked adding that the tendency within the party of showing indifference to the system will weaken democracy itself in the long run.

Replying to another question, Mr. Acharya made it clear that it is up to the government whether it will be able to mobilise the full help of the party and the leadership in government should never forget this fact.

Lamas perform special worshop

Kathmandu, July 20 (RSS): A special worship was held at local Boudha, Phulbari, today in accordance with the Lama Buddhist tradition in commemoration of the 49th day of the sad demise of His Majesty King Birendra and other royalties. On the occasion, prayers were offered for eternal peace to the departed souls.

Speaking at a function held today by Kaning Sendup Ling Monastery Committee (Sete Gumba) to pay tributes to Their late Majesties the King and Queen, chairman of Raj Parishad Standing Committee Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi expressed the view that all the people of the country had been stunned and shocked at the tragic demise of His Majesty King Birendra and other royalties.

He also prayed the almighty for granting enough courage to all the countrymen so that they would be able to endure the grief following tragic incident.

Head of the Sete Gumba Bhichhu Krishna Man paid profound tributes to Their late Majesties the King and other members of the Royal Family.

He also extended warm congratulations to His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev on His Majesty’s accession to the throne and wished for His Majesty's long life, good health and glorious reign.

Crime rate down in Saptari

Kathmandu, July 20 (RSS): Less number of crimes were reported in Saptari district in the previous fiscal year as compared to the corresponding two fiscal years before last year, it is learnt from the Saptari district police office.

According to the district police office, Saptari, altogether 190 crimes were recorded in the district in Fiscal Year 2000/2001. Police is investigating the crimes.

A total of 200 crimes were reported in the district in Fiscal Year 1999/2000. Similarly, 225 crimes were recorded in Fiscal Year 1998/1999.

The decrease in crime in Saptari district has been attributed to the increased police surveillance.

The police has intensified patrolling in the recent days and plainclothes police have also been mobilised extensively in the district, Superintendent of Police Narayan Kumar Acharya said.