42 Rhinos Killed Over the Last 15 Months

A rhinoceros

A total of 42 rhinoceros have been killed over the last 15 months within the Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP). According to the report, most of the rhinos were killed by local people using pesticides and electric currents whereas few of them are believed to have been killed by poachers. According to Park officials, only nine rhinos had died in the year 1997/98. "We are very worried to learn about the rising deaths of rhinos," said Narayan Poudel, ecologist at the Park. "We will initiate probe to find out the fact soon," he said. There were less than 80 rhinos when the Park was established in 1973. Officials now believe that the number of rhinos has gone up to nearly 500 now. Kantipur Nov. 25.

15 Maoists Killed In Separate Encounters

Police have said that at least one dozen Maoist rebels have been killed in separate encounters in mid-western region on  Nov. 24 and 25. According to deputy inspector general of Police, Rajendra Bahadur Singh of Regional Police Office in Nepalgunj, eight rebels were killed in Maoist-hit Rukum district in three separate encounters. Two police constables also got injured. In remote northern district of Kalikot, two rebels were killed during an encounter with police. In Bardiya district, two more rebels got killed when police opened fire at a group of about 20 rebels. Three more rebels were killed in Salyan district. More than 1100 people have lost their lives since the Maoist "peopleís war" was launched by underground Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) in February 1996. Leading dailies report.

Pension Of Ex-British Gorkhas To Go Up

The pension of ex-British Gorkha soldiers will go up beginning early next year, a senior British official said. Brigadier S. M. Lee said in Pokhara last week  that the pension of the ex-British Gorkha soldiers will be raised from present Rs 1,200 per month to Rs 2,000 per month with effect from January 1, 2000. The new arrangement is estimated to benefit more than 11,500 pensioners. British officials had said earlier that they were considering raising pensions to ex-British Gorkha soldiers as a "Christmas gift" by the end of this year. A group of ex-British Gorkha soldiers has been demanding equal pension and benefits to ex-Gorkhas at par with their British counterparts. Leading dailies report.

RS 110 M Doled Out From The PM's Fund

PM Bhattarai

Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai has doled out more than Rs 110 million from national coffers through the "Prime Minister's Fund (PMF)" since he assumed office six months ago. According to a highly placed source at the PMO, those receiving free sops include incumbent and former members of Parliament, politically motivated institutions and opposition leaders. According to the source, senior politician Dilli Raman Regmi has received Rs 800,000 from the Fund whereas the government has borne entire treatment cost of former Congress MP Bal Bahadur Kunwor through Royal Nepalese embassy in Bangkok. The cabinet has also recommended Kunwor as the Royal Nepalese ambassador to Sri Lanka. According to the same source, the top leader of the main opposition UML has been provided Rs 1.5 million as assistance in the name of one Bijaya Kumar Poudel of Rupandehi district whereas another powerful UML leader has received Rs one million in the name of one Maheswor Raya of Mahottari. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's Office has claimed, throuhg a press release issued on Thursday, that the government's policy has been to extend financial assistance to only those "who are in very difficult circumstances." But as such expenditures are not audited, it is hard to believe that the money has been spent for good purpose. Deshanter Nov. 28.

Govt Plans To Censor Pro-Maoist Papers

The government is working on to adopt legal measures to prohibit publication of news and other items supporting violent Maoist activities. According to a source, officials of the Home and Communications Ministries have agreed to invoke Article 14 of the Printing and Publications Act that prohibits publication of any news item defaming the King and other members of Royal family, and promoting violence and action against state. The government may have legal authority to take action against the pro-Maoist supporting newspapers and journalists after a notice is published in the gazette. Deshanter Nov. 28.

'Press Is Biased Toward The PM': Nepal

Press advisor to Prime Minister K. P. Bhattarai, Kishore Nepal, has alleged that the Nepalese Press is biased against the premier. In an interview, Nepal, himself a senior journalist, said that the Press has not only ignored `human virtues' in the prime minister it has also tried to make news out of the statements made by Bhattarai in a lighter vein. " I think, save few publications, most of the papers in Nepal are run by persons with prejudice," said Nepal, who holds 32-year-long experience in the Nepalese journalism. "Not a single reporter has contacted me about the activities of the government so far," he added. Outgoing President of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), Nepal said that the Press should take statements of the Prime Minister with due seriousness and try to understand the message inherent in them. Aajko Samacharpatra, Nov. 28.

Airport in Dang In A Dilapidated Condition

As local leaders are demanding construction of an international airport in the largest valley of the country, the two-and-half decade old airport at Tarigaon in mid-western district of Dang remains in dilapidated condition. There is no domestic air service operating to and from Dang for the last three years. Local people are encroaching the land owned by the airport whereas the air traffic tower and other buildings of the Airport are also in dilapidated condition. The concerned authority has not paid attention in protecting valuable machines and equipment of the airport.  Local people believe that resuming air services in Dang would be instrumental in the development of Maoist-hit hilly districts of Rapti zone. Gorkhapatra, Nov. 25. (Photo)

`NSC Should Be Kept Away from Political Interference'

Ace marathon runner, Baikuntha Manandhar, has said that National Sports Council (NSC) should be kept away from political interference. I have been walking, running and moving around in the Dasarath Stadium, that houses NSC, since I was 16 years old, recalls Manandhar, who has now turned 47. He is also serving as a senior trainer at the NSC for the last 14 years. Though NSC has developed in terms of physical facilities, there is too much political interference. "Every time there was change in the government, the head of the NSC was also changed," said Manandhar. "This has hindered the pace of the NSC's activities," he added. Manandhar, who claims to be the longest running Nepali, says that he still wants to cover 900-km marathon to Tibetan autonomous part of China. "We can cover the distance in 15 days," says Manandhar, who has spent 20 years of his life running. "Now, I am looking for a sponsor for the event, which might cost up to Rs 500,000 only." Chhalphal, Nov. 28.