Meet decides safer, regular air services

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KATHMANDU, Sept. 25: The National Civil Aviation Security Committee met here today under the chairmanship of the committee chairperson and Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bal Bahadur KC.

Matters relating to making airports more safer, running regular air services and resolving problems faced by the helicopter services were extensively discussed at the meeting. The meeting also decided to re-construct and resume services at the airports damaged by the terrorists and request His Majesty's Government for a sum of Rs. 270 million this purpose. Meanwhile, Minister KC chaired a meeting of office-bearers of the Ministry, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and different airlines to discuss matters relating to operating regular and additional flights during the Bada Dashain festival.
The meeting decided to run about 161 additional flights to airports in remote areas like Simikot, Bajhang, Jumla, Rukum, Manang, Jomsom, Lamidanda, Phaplu, Rumjatar, Bhojpur, Tumlingtar, Taplejung and other places from October 7 to 21.

The national flag carrier Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation and the private airlines will run additional flights to these airports. A decision was also made to open flight bookings from September 30, cancel the existing provision of charging two-way fare, retain the present air fare, continue night flights to Biratnagar, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj airports.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has also decided to exempt the landing and parking fees for additional flights during the Bada Dashain festival and to monitor the enforcement of these decisions.

TIA opens for international flights

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Sept. 25: The Tribhuvan International Airport opened this morning to international flights after closing down since Monday afternoon.

The airport was closed for safety reasons after a Russian-built helicopter of the Royal Nepalese Army crashed while lifting off, damaging the main runway. The crash had created a crater and spilled fuel on the tarmac. Three army men were injured when the helicopter carrying 15 passengers fell from a height of about a dozen feet.

Internal flights resumed Tuesday, but external flights could not. Hundreds of passengers were stranded at the airport, and the airlines say they lost millions of rupees for lodging the tourists in the hotels.

University teachers to go on strike

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Sept. 25: University teachers, reacting to the indifference of Tribhuvan University and Mahendra University to their demands, have decided to go on strike, Nepal University Teachers' Association (NUTA) stated in a press release today.

They are starting a series of protests beginning September 30. We will begin by tying symbolic black bands around our arms, says the press release signed by NUTA President Khagendra Prasad Bhattarai who coordinates the Central Protest Committee formulated for the purpose.

"The university teachers' community is compelled to go on strike since the two universities have made decisions to dampen the teachers' dignity and are insensitive to our reasonable demands," the press release said.

UML blasts terrorist attack on party cadres

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KATHMANDU, Sept. 25: The meeting of CPN-UML central committee continued here today. Taking part in the discussion on the report presented by CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal were Amrit Kumar Bohara, Bharat Mohan Adhikari, Yubaraj Gyawali, Keshav Badal, Pradip Gyawali, Vidhya Bhandari, Subas Nemwang, Kashinath Adhikari, Raghu Pant, Shanker Pokharel, Govinda Koirala, Asta Laxmi Shakya, Bishnu Poudel, Pramesh Hamal, Mahesh Mani Dixit, Yogendra Saha, Kamal Koirala, Ranadwaj Kandangwa and Trilochan Dhakal.

As many CPN-UML central committee members are yet to present their view on the the general secretary's report, the meeting will continue tomorrow also, says the party. Meanwhile, the party has strongly condemned the inhumane act of the Maoists on CPN-UML worker Khadga Bahadur Rai of Ramitekhola VDC-2 in Morang district.

Rai was brutally murdered on Tuesday afternoon by the Maoists after dragging out of a gathering of local users who had gathered to discuss about constructing a wooden bridge in the area. Praying for eternal peace to the departed soul, the party has also extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family and the local party workers.

The CPN-UML central committee meeting also expressed its determination to bring to trail at the right time the culprits involved in such atrocities on the party workers carried out by the Maoists.

Credentials

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KATHMANDU, Sept. 25: Royal Nepalese Ambassador to the Republic of Poland Balaram Singh Malla presented his letters of credence to Aleksander Kwasniewski, President of the Republic of Poland at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw yesterday.

Malla is resident Royal Nepalese Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany.

Four Nepali Maoists sent to Indian jail

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MAHOTTARI, Sept. 25: Four out of six Maoist terrorists who were arrested in Sitamadhi in India have been forwarded to jail by a court there.

The Maoists who were jailed include Suresh Shah of Sarlahi Urpurawa, Ram Kailash Yadav of Kavilashi village, Savita Pandey of Barhathawa Shankarpur-4 and Rupa Budhathoki of Morang Kakarbhitta, according to security sources there.

Dinesh Bishwakarma of Dhankuta Leguwa and Dilli Prasad Mukhiya of Dhanusa, who are injured, are undergoing treatment at Sitamadhi hospital under police vigilance.

SAARC writers' conference to kick off today

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KATHMANDU, Sept, 25: The fifth SAARC Writers' Conference is to organised by the Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature here tomorrow.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is scheduled to declare open the three-day conference. Eminent writers and poets like Ajit Cour and Ashok Vajpayee from India, Ahmad Faraz from Pakistan, Abdul Khair from Bangladesh, Kavivar Madhav Ghimire, Abhi Subedi and Mohan Koirala from Nepal and many other eminent writers and poets will be taking part in the conference.

According to convenor of the conference Chandrakant Jha more than 10 working papers will be presented at the conference.

Likewise, a multi-lingual poetry symposium will also be organised on the occasion.