Large cache of weapons recovered

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, June 12: The security forces have recovered a large cache of weapons, logistic materials and other goods during their search operations in the last three days, while two terrorists have been killed in separate encounters.

On Monday, security personnel gunned down one terrorist at the Jhulneta area checkpoint of Salyan. The army seized weapons, socket bombs, equipment used in setting up electrical ambush and explosives from the site.

One more terrorist was killed during an exchange of fire near the prison of Pyuthan district. The fighting took place at 11 in the night.

The security forces today found explosives, combat dresses, equipment used for electric ambush, bullets, bombs at the training site of the terrorists at Ratamata of Salyan district. The forces also found a cow, dried and raw meat, ration and other logistics and Rs.19,670 in cash. The rations were distributed to the local people.

An army soldier, who was seriously injured during a clash with the terrorists at Budagaon Simpani area of Rolpa district on Tuesday, succumbed to his injuries today while undergoing treatment at the Birendra Military Hospital in Kathmandu.

More Rolpa people quit terrorism

By Our Correspondent

Rolpa (Liwang), June 12: After the announcement of the state of emergency in the country, the number of people quitting the terrorist organisation is on the rise in Rolpa, one of the most terrorist-affected districts of the Kingdom.

"One hundred and eight persons have already renounced their affiliation with the terrorist group and have pledged to lead a normal life," said chief district officer Birendranath Sharma.

Sharma said that the government has provided security to the people who have left the terrorist group. He said such people are released in coordination with the political parties and members of the civil society.

Security forces say there are still terrorists who are terrorising people, and they have been taking refuge in the mountainous and remote parts of the district. He also said the security forces are foiling all activities of the terrorists.

A local political worker said that after the operation of the security forces, the Maoists have not been able to recruit new members and that their numbers were dwindling with more and more of them quitting the group and surrendering to the local administration.

Maoists blast house of  former minister

Kapilvastu, June 12 (RSS): An armed gang of Maoist terrorists blasted a two-storey house of former minister of state Dipak Kumar Upadhyaya at Hathausa VDC Bhadasawa village in Kapilbastu district around 11pm yesterday.

An armed gang of 40 to 50 terrorists entered the house, told the guard to go away and then triggered the blast.

Cracks have appeared in the house following the blast, while the Maoist smashed the doors, windows, utensils and television sets with an iron hammer, it is learnt from the District Administration Office.

The loss due to the explosion has been estimated at around one million rupees, CDO Mohan Krishna Sapkota said.

Govt should assure security for polls: Lohani

Lalitpur, June 12 (RSS): Central vice president of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani has said that the RPP is taking in stride the parliamentary elections to be held on November l3.

Inaugurating the third district convention of the party’s Lalitpur chapter today, Dr Lohani said the government should give the people a feeling of security to ensure public participation in the elections.

RPP central member Nawa Raj Subedi said the Nepali Congress which considers itself synonymous with democracy has in fact weakened democracy.

At the function presided over by RPP district president Bhola Thapa, various other speakers including RPP central member Balaram Gharti Magar and assistant general secretaries Bhojraj Ghimire and Parashuram Khapung said the Nepali Congress did nothing other than drag the Constitutional monarchy into controversy and weaken democracy and the people during the past 12 years.

Reappointment

Kathmandu, June 12 (RSS): HMG council of ministers has, as per a decision taken on May 30, reappointed Dr. Dhruva Prasad Sharma as chairman of the board of directors of the B. P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Institute.

Minister for Health Sharat Singh Bhandari administered the oath of office to newly re-appointed chairman Sharma at the Ministry of Health here today.

Health secretary Mahendra Nath Aryal and other high ranking officials of the Ministry were present on the occasion.

Police personnel killed in Maoist assault

Hetauda, June 12 (RSS): Assistant Sub-Inspector of police Mahendra Rana who was in-charge at the police post at Makwanpur district Basamadi VDC ward No. 3 Newarpani was killed in a violent assault by a gang of armed Maoist terrorists at the Mahendra Highway in Bastipur of the same VDC, it is learnt from the district police office.

The deceased was talking to the district police office at Hetauda from a public telephone booth close to the highway when the gang comprising 7 to 8 people assaulted him, it is learnt.

Meanwhile, CDO Dipak Kumar Joshi, head of Suparitar barracks lieutenant colonel Prakash KC, superintendent of Police Prem Bahadur Gurung, police officers, journalists and relatives offered floral tributes to the deceased.

A police team also offered a salute .

Meanwhile, the body of Rana was consigned to flames on the bank of the Rapti river at local Khalanga.

Best wishes extended

Kathmandu, June 12 (RSS): As commanded by His Majesty the King, chief of the Royal Household Sardar Sarada Prasad Pradhan today went to the residence of the ambassador of the Russian Federation Valery Nazarov at Baluwatar and extended best wishes on behalf of His Majesty on the occasion of the National Day of the Russian Federation.

Writ petition against House dissolution

Kathmandu, June 12 (RSS): Outgoing parliamentarian from Bardia district Constituency No. 2 Mangal Prasad Tharu filed a writ at the Supreme Court today demanding reinstatement of the House of Representatives through reversal of its dissolution by the Prime Minister and annulling of the recommendation for the same.

The seven page writ petition has named the Prime Minister, the Speaker and the Parliament Secretariat as defendants.

Earlier, 56 MPs of the Nepali Congress and five from Janamorcha had also filed a similar writ petition.

TU results

Kathmandu, June 12 (RSS): Tribhuvan University today published the results of the post graduate level first year Nepali examinations (according to the new syllabus) under the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Similarly, results of the post-graduate level first year examinations (new syllabus) under the Faculty of Law held in the month of Poush have also been published.

TU’s Institute of Engineering has published the results of the graduate level regular examinations and re-examinations in civil engineering and the third year first part examinations in architectural engineering of Pulchok Campus held in the month of Chaitra.

It also published the results of the post-graduate level
2058 batch first year first part examinations in environment engineering, structural engineering, power management engineering and information and communicaitons engineering.

Help sought to spot missing helicopter

Kathmandu, June 12 (RSS): A request has been made for possible cooperation and suggestions from the Indian, Chinese, American and Russian embassies, the International Civil Aviation Organisation regional office, Bangkok and the Indian and Chinese civil aviation authorities regarding the missing 9NCU chopper (MI8-MTV) of Asian Airlines, it is learnt today from Tribhuvan International Airport Civil Aviation Office.

The helicopter went missing after it took off for Lukla from the Makalu base camp on May 31.

‘Inauguration against electioncode of conduct’

Kathmandu, June 12 (RSS): The Election Commission has stated that as the date of the elections for membership of the House of Representatives has already been announced and the code of conduct has come into effect, laying of foundation stones or inauguration of any project is against the code.

The Election Commission has drawn the attention of Minister for Water Resources Bijaya Kumar Gachhedar who inaugurated the Puwakhola Hydropower Project in Ilam district, and Minister of State for Water Resources Narayan Sharma Paudel, Minister of State for Physical Planning and Works Keshav Thapa and Assistant Minister for Water Resources Birendra Kumar Kanaudiya who participated in the inaugural function and expressed their views, not to engage in such activity in the future.

The commission has also called for an explanation from executive director of Nepal Electricity Authority Dr. Janak Lal Karmacharya for scheduling this kind of programme.