A mentally-retarded man killed his wife by using a sharp weapon here at Bastipur-8 of Siraha district.
Ram Bilas Mahara took the life of his wife Runa Devi Mahara at his home on Saturday evening.
Police confirmed that Ram Bilas hacked her wife to death.
As the murderer has fled the scene after the incident, the reason behind the murder is yet to be established, said police.
Runa Devi is survived by two sons. RSS
Ram Bilas Mahara took the life of his wife Runa Devi Mahara at his home on Saturday evening.
Police confirmed that Ram Bilas hacked her wife to death.
As the murderer has fled the scene after the incident, the reason behind the murder is yet to be established, said police.
Runa Devi is survived by two sons. RSS
Three online journalists , who were held over a controversial news report on their web portal, will be released on Monday.
The Metropolitan Police Crime Investigation Division (MPCID) had arrested Sushil Pant, the editor of nepaliheadlines.com, on Thursday on the charge of "defaming" Dillibazar Multiple Kanya Campus through a news piece. According to the police, the journlalists were arrested after they posted malicious news reports climing to have found "brinjals" in the college restrooms.
Two other journalists--Santosh Bhattarai of nepaliheadlines.com and Pushkar Kandel of extrakhabar.com--were also arrested in connection with the same charge. It has been learnt that the journalists will be released today following a tripartite agreement among Press Council Nepal, Federation of Nepali Journalists and Dillibazar Multiple Kanya Campus .
Meanwhile, Press Council has been entrusted with the responsibility of finding whether or not the journalists had breached the ethics of journalism.
The Metropolitan Police Crime Investigation Division (MPCID) had arrested Sushil Pant, the editor of nepaliheadlines.com, on Thursday on the charge of "defaming" Dillibazar Multiple Kanya Campus through a news piece. According to the police, the journlalists were arrested after they posted malicious news reports climing to have found "brinjals" in the college restrooms.
Two other journalists--Santosh Bhattarai of nepaliheadlines.com and Pushkar Kandel of extrakhabar.com--were also arrested in connection with the same charge. It has been learnt that the journalists will be released today following a tripartite agreement among Press Council Nepal, Federation of Nepali Journalists and Dillibazar Multiple Kanya Campus .
Meanwhile, Press Council has been entrusted with the responsibility of finding whether or not the journalists had breached the ethics of journalism.
The attack happened at a base camp for Nanga Parbat, one of the highest mountains in the world, in the Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan.
"There were nine foreigners and one Pakistan i. The incident took place around 10:00 pm. They were mountaineers and based in a camp," Diamer police official Mohammed Naveed told AFP.
"Gunmen came and opened fire on them. It is confirmed that they have been killed," he said.
He could not immediately confirm their nationalities, although state-run television PTV earlier quoted police as saying they included Chinese, Ukrainians and Russians.
"We have sent helicopters to the area to recover the dead bodies. A search operation has been launched. All the entry and exit points have been sealed," said Naveed.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal ( CAAN ) has submitted a proposal to the government for constructing a five-star airport hotel under the built-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) modality on its land plot in Sinamangal, Kathmandu.
CAAN officials said the move is intended to make commercial use of its 116-ropany land plot which has been underutilised despite being located in the city’s prime area. They said it is objectively aimed at facilitating tourism and offering accommodation to travellers landing at and departing from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).
The land plot currently houses the CAAN ’s TIA Improvement Project Office, and an Armed Police Force (APF) unit.
The proposal was forwarded to the Finance Ministry some six months ago, but senior Tourism Ministry officials say the Finance Ministry has not responded to the proposal yet. The officials said the concept to build an airport hotel under the public private partnership model can create more value for Nepal’s fast-growing tourism industry and it could be a big source of revenue for the government. “Besides, there is also a need for an international standard airport hotel.”
Finance ministry officials said the CAAN ’s proposal is still under-consideration.
The Tourism and Home Ministries and the CAAN have agreed to relocate the APF unit to Nalinchowk if the government approves the project, said a CAAN official. “If okayed by the Finance Ministry, the proposal will be sent to the Cabinet for final approval,” said Ranjan Krishna Aryal, joint-secretary at the Tourism Ministry.
CAAN officials said as soon as the government approves the plan, they would issue a letter of intent (LoI) for prospective developers. With domestic and inter-regional tourism aiding to hotel demand, a range of leading global hotel chains have planned their entry into Nepal.
Non-resident Nepali Shesh Ghale is building a five-star hotel in Kathmandu. The property will be known as the Sheraton Kathmandu Hotel. Ghale’s MIT Group Holding Nepal recently signed an agreement with Starwood Hotels and Resort Worldwide Inc and set the project rolling. Slated to open in February 2018, the 225-room Sheraton Kathmandu Hotel will be managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
Also, Nepal Hospitality Group (NHG) signed a management agreement with a subsidiary of Marriott International to open a four-star property named Fairfield by Marriott Kathmandu. The international brand Marriott will look after the management of the Fairfield by Marriott Kathmandu. The NHG is a group company of the MS Group, one of Nepal’s leading business conglomerates. At present, there are 10 five-star hotels in Nepal—eight in Kathmandu and two in Pokhara. The average annual occupancy rate of these five star properties stands at around 65 percent. These properties produce 641,670 room nights annually. Nepal welcomed 803,092 visitors last year, of which, 204,834 came Nepal through surface transportation.
CAAN officials said the move is intended to make commercial use of its 116-ropany land plot which has been underutilised despite being located in the city’s prime area. They said it is objectively aimed at facilitating tourism and offering accommodation to travellers landing at and departing from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).
The land plot currently houses the CAAN ’s TIA Improvement Project Office, and an Armed Police Force (APF) unit.
The proposal was forwarded to the Finance Ministry some six months ago, but senior Tourism Ministry officials say the Finance Ministry has not responded to the proposal yet. The officials said the concept to build an airport hotel under the public private partnership model can create more value for Nepal’s fast-growing tourism industry and it could be a big source of revenue for the government. “Besides, there is also a need for an international standard airport hotel.”
Finance ministry officials said the CAAN ’s proposal is still under-consideration.
The Tourism and Home Ministries and the CAAN have agreed to relocate the APF unit to Nalinchowk if the government approves the project, said a CAAN official. “If okayed by the Finance Ministry, the proposal will be sent to the Cabinet for final approval,” said Ranjan Krishna Aryal, joint-secretary at the Tourism Ministry.
CAAN officials said as soon as the government approves the plan, they would issue a letter of intent (LoI) for prospective developers. With domestic and inter-regional tourism aiding to hotel demand, a range of leading global hotel chains have planned their entry into Nepal.
Non-resident Nepali Shesh Ghale is building a five-star hotel in Kathmandu. The property will be known as the Sheraton Kathmandu Hotel. Ghale’s MIT Group Holding Nepal recently signed an agreement with Starwood Hotels and Resort Worldwide Inc and set the project rolling. Slated to open in February 2018, the 225-room Sheraton Kathmandu Hotel will be managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
Also, Nepal Hospitality Group (NHG) signed a management agreement with a subsidiary of Marriott International to open a four-star property named Fairfield by Marriott Kathmandu. The international brand Marriott will look after the management of the Fairfield by Marriott Kathmandu. The NHG is a group company of the MS Group, one of Nepal’s leading business conglomerates. At present, there are 10 five-star hotels in Nepal—eight in Kathmandu and two in Pokhara. The average annual occupancy rate of these five star properties stands at around 65 percent. These properties produce 641,670 room nights annually. Nepal welcomed 803,092 visitors last year, of which, 204,834 came Nepal through surface transportation.
The Indian Army rescued about 500 youths who were stranded at Badrinath-Kedarnath region due to rain havoc on Saturday.
Indian Police and concerned government bodies safely brought the stranded Nepalis at Nepalgunj border in busses and train this afternoon.
The youths used to do labor work of carrying pilgrimages at Badrinath-Kedarnath temple. Most of them are from Mid and Far-western regions, sources confirmed.
According to them, over 1000 Nepalis have been stranded in the area.
Meanwhile, Banke administration has assured to provide them relief package.
Indian Police and concerned government bodies safely brought the stranded Nepalis at Nepalgunj border in busses and train this afternoon.
The youths used to do labor work of carrying pilgrimages at Badrinath-Kedarnath temple. Most of them are from Mid and Far-western regions, sources confirmed.
According to them, over 1000 Nepalis have been stranded in the area.
Meanwhile, Banke administration has assured to provide them relief package.
Sapana Thapa, 25, of Beni accepted it readily when her agent offered her a job in Saudi Arabia with a monthly salary of 500 Riyal.
The agent took care of everything including her passport which was given to her at the last moment in Mumbai, India, from where she flew to Riyadh.
Though things didn't turn out as she was promised, Thapa received a "satisfactory" treatment from her employer during her three years in the Gulf Kingdom.
But she found herself in a fix when she landed on the Tribhuvan International Airport some four weeks ago.
The TIA immigration arrested her on the charge of using a forged passport.
''My agent gave me the passport for Rs 10,000. Was it his fault or mine? How would I know he used my photo on someone else's passport?'' asked the seemingly illiterate Thapa who was released on Thursday after the Nepali Immigration detained her for seven days. She was also fined Rs 5,000.
Biru Sewa Limbu of Jhapa was released on the same day. She was also caught for passport forgery while arriving from Saudi Arabia. Limbu's alleged crime was the same as Thapa's but she was detained for 22 days and fined Rs 3,000.
They recounted terrible experiences in the prison cells where around 30 women were kept in a single room adjacent to the men's cell.
The detainees were crammed into a congested room. Thapa said she had to sleep on the ground with around 25 other women . There was an acute problem of sanitation.
''Why is the government treating us like criminals while returning to our own country? Why doesn't it stop them before departure or punish the agent who plays with the lives of women ?'' Thapa questioned.
It is a question that hundreds of women ask themselves while they get arrested for crimes they had never committed. They are doubly betrayed, first by their agent and then by the government.
The Department of Immigration (DoI) arrests around 10 persons every day, mostly women , on the charge of passport forgery popularly known as PC.
While most of them are released by means of bribe, a few others, according to a DoI source, are referred to the court where they may face up to five years in jail and a fine of Rs 50,000 if proven guilty.
DoI records show a total of 485 cases of passport forgery , mainly involving women , were forwarded for the court. On an average every month, 70 cases were reported this year.
DoI officials say around 90 percent of the people involved in passport forgery are victims of foreign employment fraud. ''The law allows the release of such victims without punishment on humanitarian ground. But, some DoI staffers have made it a source of their earning,'' said the official.
Migrant workers easily comply with the demands when the officials threaten to lock them up for several years.
However, DoI spokesperson Kamal Bhattarai said the office refers all the cases to the court. "The workers can file complaints in the Department of Foreign Employment or the DoI if in cases of fraud," said Bhattarai, denying any kind of foul play at the department.
The detention facility and its inhumane treatment of female migrant workers came under severe criticism after the case of Sita Rai came to light in November last year. Rai was first robbed by DoI officials and then raped by a police official at the DoI.
Following the rape and robbery case of Rai, a high-level committee was formed to investigate the cases of violence against women . The report has asked the government not to further victimise female migrant workers who are already victims of manpower agencies and agents by detaining them.
In a report submitted to Interim Election Government Chairman Khil Raj Regmi, the eight-member committee led by PMO Secretary Raju Man Singh Malla had recommended that the government punish the agent.
A large number of women are illegally taken to the Gulf in promise of jobs through illegal routes primarily via India and Bangladesh. Many of them are given a forged passport. A report prepared by the Nepali embassy in Saudi Arabia last year showed that around 70,000 Nepali women were illegally working in the Islamic kingdom. Government statistics show only a few hundred women have got permission to work in Saudi Arabia.
Various factors including the rise in organised human trafficking, unfriendly laws which include age bar on women below 30 to work in the domestic sector in the Gulf, comparatively cheaper service charges, lack of education and awareness, bureaucratic hassles and weak monitoring of the stakeholders have forced the women to follow illegally routes while seeking overseas jobs.
The VAW report had pointed out the government's decision to ban women below 30 to work as domestic helps in the Gulf increased the risk of trafficking and smuggling of women .
Though things didn't turn out as she was promised, Thapa received a "satisfactory" treatment from her employer during her three years in the Gulf Kingdom.
But she found herself in a fix when she landed on the Tribhuvan International Airport some four weeks ago.
The TIA immigration arrested her on the charge of using a forged passport.
''My agent gave me the passport for Rs 10,000. Was it his fault or mine? How would I know he used my photo on someone else's passport?'' asked the seemingly illiterate Thapa who was released on Thursday after the Nepali Immigration detained her for seven days. She was also fined Rs 5,000.
Biru Sewa Limbu of Jhapa was released on the same day. She was also caught for passport forgery while arriving from Saudi Arabia. Limbu's alleged crime was the same as Thapa's but she was detained for 22 days and fined Rs 3,000.
They recounted terrible experiences in the prison cells where around 30 women were kept in a single room adjacent to the men's cell.
The detainees were crammed into a congested room. Thapa said she had to sleep on the ground with around 25 other women . There was an acute problem of sanitation.
''Why is the government treating us like criminals while returning to our own country? Why doesn't it stop them before departure or punish the agent who plays with the lives of women ?'' Thapa questioned.
It is a question that hundreds of women ask themselves while they get arrested for crimes they had never committed. They are doubly betrayed, first by their agent and then by the government.
The Department of Immigration (DoI) arrests around 10 persons every day, mostly women , on the charge of passport forgery popularly known as PC.
While most of them are released by means of bribe, a few others, according to a DoI source, are referred to the court where they may face up to five years in jail and a fine of Rs 50,000 if proven guilty.
DoI records show a total of 485 cases of passport forgery , mainly involving women , were forwarded for the court. On an average every month, 70 cases were reported this year.
DoI officials say around 90 percent of the people involved in passport forgery are victims of foreign employment fraud. ''The law allows the release of such victims without punishment on humanitarian ground. But, some DoI staffers have made it a source of their earning,'' said the official.
Migrant workers easily comply with the demands when the officials threaten to lock them up for several years.
However, DoI spokesperson Kamal Bhattarai said the office refers all the cases to the court. "The workers can file complaints in the Department of Foreign Employment or the DoI if in cases of fraud," said Bhattarai, denying any kind of foul play at the department.
The detention facility and its inhumane treatment of female migrant workers came under severe criticism after the case of Sita Rai came to light in November last year. Rai was first robbed by DoI officials and then raped by a police official at the DoI.
Following the rape and robbery case of Rai, a high-level committee was formed to investigate the cases of violence against women . The report has asked the government not to further victimise female migrant workers who are already victims of manpower agencies and agents by detaining them.
In a report submitted to Interim Election Government Chairman Khil Raj Regmi, the eight-member committee led by PMO Secretary Raju Man Singh Malla had recommended that the government punish the agent.
A large number of women are illegally taken to the Gulf in promise of jobs through illegal routes primarily via India and Bangladesh. Many of them are given a forged passport. A report prepared by the Nepali embassy in Saudi Arabia last year showed that around 70,000 Nepali women were illegally working in the Islamic kingdom. Government statistics show only a few hundred women have got permission to work in Saudi Arabia.
Various factors including the rise in organised human trafficking, unfriendly laws which include age bar on women below 30 to work in the domestic sector in the Gulf, comparatively cheaper service charges, lack of education and awareness, bureaucratic hassles and weak monitoring of the stakeholders have forced the women to follow illegally routes while seeking overseas jobs.
The VAW report had pointed out the government's decision to ban women below 30 to work as domestic helps in the Gulf increased the risk of trafficking and smuggling of women .
Manager of a Haridwar-based Dharmashala, Narayan Panthi, said the number of Nepalis inquiring about their missing relatives is increasing by the day.
Kishor Pathak, who works as a tourist guide, said seven Nepalis from Butwal who were with him are missing since Sunday morning. “They were staying at the Kali Kamali Dharmashala that was swept away in the flood .”
The persons missing from Pathak’s tour team have been identified as Ramkrishna Panthi, Harilal Gyawali, Maya Gyawali, Bimala Panthi, Shyamsundar Pandey, Tara Thapa and Bhagwati Khadka.
Gobinda Satyal, Mohan Bhandari, Keshav Bhandari and Damodar Acharya of Kavre district and Narayan Adhikari of Makwanpur are also reported missing since Wednesday. They were part of a 40-member team of pilgrims. All of them are said to be missing . They had left for Kedarnath on May 27 on a bus.
Meanwhile, police recovered at least 48 bodies from the banks of the Bhagirathi river in Haridwar on Friday.
According to the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi, around 400 Nepalis are stranded in the wake of the Uttarakhand flood ing. The embassy has deployed two officers in Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand, to help the Nepalis affected by the disaster. Fourteen Nepalis were airlifted to Dehradun from the flood -hit areas on Friday. Thirty others are awaiting rescue, embassy officials said.
The embassy has also set up a hotline (0091-9953899954) to assist victims and their relatives.
176 pilgrims rescued, says govt
KATHMANDU: As many as 176 Nepali pilgrims have been rescued by Indian authorities and rescue teams in Uttarakhand. The pilgrims were bound for Badrinath-Kedarnath, a pilgrimage site for Hindus, when they were stranded after heavy rains triggered massive flood s in the area.
Speaking during a regular press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here on Friday, ministry Spokesperson Arjun Bahadur Thapa said, “Another 29 were airlifted by the Indian security agencies, some spontaneously came into contact, while some are still believed to be stranded and missing .” The Nepali Embassy in New Delhi is in constant touch with India’s Ministry of External Affairs in this regard, Thapa said. According to him, no case of Nepali pilgrims being killed in the flood ing has been reported so far. (PR)
Bullion traders were on a nationwide strike since last Wednesday to pressure the government to formulate market monitoring guidelines and to protest government action against three jewelery shops.
A meeting held between bullion traders and the government at the Department of Commerce and Supply Management (DoCSM) has agreed on a three-point deal.
"The meeting formed a seven-member taskforce with authority to formulate market monitoring guidelines and address the issues raised by bullion traders. With this, the gold traders have agreed to call off all their protests," said Narayan Prasad Bidari, director general of DoCSM.
The seven-member taskforce formed under the leadership of Nuta Raj Pokharel, under-secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies, includes representatives from DoCSM, Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Law and Justice from the government side, and one representatives each from the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Associations (FNGSDA) and the Federation of Nepal Gold, Silver, Gems and Jewelry Associations (FNGSGJA). Besides, there will also be two technical assistants from each federation.
Mani Ratna Shakya, president of FNGSDA, said that with the agreement, all their protest programs have ended and they will reopen the shops from Saturday. "We will open our shops from tomorrow, start issuing recommendations to banks from Sunday to buy gold and also fix the bullion prices, something that has been stopped since June 11", said Shakya.
A joint team of DoCSM and Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology had inspected 12 jewelry shops in the capital over the past two months. Lab tests on jewelry samples collected from the shops showed that the traders were cheating customers in terms of the quality and weight of gold, silver and diamond.
Though the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies has prepared a draft proposal to standardize the price and quality of gold, silver, diamond and items made from these, bullion traders were against this, arguing that it does not address their demands and that it was very impractical.
"Now, as the taskforce will formulate new guidelines, the old draft is automatically cancelled," said Bidari.
Locals in the district have blamed the release of water from the Dhauliganga Hydropower Station located in the upper riparian side of the Mahakali river for the flood that hit Khalanga, the district headquarters. They have demanded the government investigate the matter.
The recent flood destroyed 132 houses, including several government offices, in Darchula, while it rendered hundreds of people homeless.
Speaking at a regular press briefing at the ministry, Foreign Secretary Durga Bhattarai said, “The sensitive issue was duly conveyed to the Indian side. The matter was also immediately pursued at the diplomatic level.”
Soon after Darchula locals and the district administration took up the matter with MoFA, the ministry had requested the Indian side not to release water from the dam as that would affect the Nepali side, Bhattarai said.
Responding to MoFA’s written and verbal request, hydropower officials at the station said that the dam can hold 500,000 cusec of water, while on June 17, the water the dam was holding was 300,000 cusec only, Bhattarai added.
On Friday, Nepali Congress leaders, including Vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel and Spokesperson Dilendra Prasad Badu who hails from Darchula, held a meeting with Chairman of the Interim Election Government Khil Raj Regmi and urged him to ‘seriously’ take up the issue with India.
“Had the Indian side not released water from the dam, such a damage (in Darchula) would not have taken place,” Badu told Regmi. The Dhauliganga project, which has a 70-metre-high dam and a pond spanning 8 square km, has the capacity to generate 280 MW of energy.
According to Badu, India should have informed Nepal in advance if there was a need to release water from the dam.
“Reconstruction work at various sections along the Mahakali river must begin with understanding between Nepal and India at the diplomatic and economic levels.“Nepal and India must come up with a comprehensive programme to minimise damages caused by flood ing in the Mahakali river,” the Congress said in a press statement after the leaders’ meeting with Regmi. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu on Friday made it clear that the flood ing in the Mahakali river was not caused by the Dhauliganga dam.
“During the monsoon season, as with all such projects, waters pass through the spillway,” a statement issued by the embassy said. “The Dhauliganga Hydroelectric Power Station is run-of-the-river project based on a small daily reservoir without any change in storage level.”
The statement said that larger inflows passed through the dam due to heavy rainfall in the catchment areas on June 16.
“Power generation thereafter came to a complete stop, with both the dam and the power-house plant being submerged and coming under heavy silting.
“The approach roads to the dam have also been washed away. The question of India releasing the dam water simply does not arise.”
The statement concluded that the dam has “no impact” on monsoon-related flood ing in the downstream areas of India and Nepal.
The Federation of Nepali Journalists ( FNJ ) has condemned the arrest of journalist Sushil Pant over a news published online.
The Metropolitan Police Crime Investigation Division (MPCID) arrested Pant, the editor of nepaliheadlines.com, on Thursday on the charge of "defaming" Dillibazar Multiple Kanya Campus through the piece.
Two other journalists--Santosh Bhattarai of nepaliheadlines.com and Pushkar Kandel of extrakhabar.com--were also arrested in the same case.
In a statement, FNJ acting General Secretary Jagat Nepal expressed serious concerns over their arrest. "The Press Council is the right body to penalise a journalist if s/he is found to have violated ethics and laws," the statement read. "The arrest of journalists is unlawful, as the police have exceeded their jurisdiction."
According to the police, the arrestees were found to have posted a news item that said brinjals were found in the campus restrooms.
MPCID chief SSP Bijay Lal Kayastha said that the police first arrested Kandel on June 10 from his home district Palpa after preliminary investigations into the case as complained by Kanya Campus Principal Bhola Regmi.
Regmi claimed that the news posted online was baseless. "It's a conspiracy to defame the college and the students," he said. According to him, the news first appeared on extrakhabar.com, some three weeks ago. Regmi had then lodged a complaint against the portal at the National Women's Commission (NWC) and the MPCO.
According to the police, Panta and Bhattarai of nepaliheadlines.net were also found to have published an extract of the same content from extrakhabar.com. Panta and Bhattarai were held on Thursday.
All the three arrestees were presented to the Kathmandu District Court on Friday. The district court remanded the arrestees in seven-day custody of Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Range Hanumandhoka. The arrestees may be prosecuted under both the Electronic Transaction Act (2008) and the cyber crime laws, said DSP Surendra Mainali of the MPCID. As per the law, the arrestees, if proven guilty, could face a fine up to Rs 50,000 to Rs 100,000 and/or a jail term up to 5 years depending on the severity of the crime.
Meanwhile, the Nepal Press Council on Thursday asked the police to hand over the case to the Council. In a meeting between Press Council officials and the police at Hanumandhoka on Friday morning, Council Chairman Borna Bahadur Karki and members Kishor Shrestha and Khil Bahadur Bhandari appealed to the police to hand over the arrestees to the Council. "Police officials are positive about our appeal," said Karki, adding that the arrested journalists could be handed over to the Council after the police complete their preliminary investigations.
The Metropolitan Police Crime Investigation Division (MPCID) arrested Pant, the editor of nepaliheadlines.com, on Thursday on the charge of "defaming" Dillibazar Multiple Kanya Campus through the piece.
Two other journalists--Santosh Bhattarai of nepaliheadlines.com and Pushkar Kandel of extrakhabar.com--were also arrested in the same case.
In a statement, FNJ acting General Secretary Jagat Nepal expressed serious concerns over their arrest. "The Press Council is the right body to penalise a journalist if s/he is found to have violated ethics and laws," the statement read. "The arrest of journalists is unlawful, as the police have exceeded their jurisdiction."
According to the police, the arrestees were found to have posted a news item that said brinjals were found in the campus restrooms.
MPCID chief SSP Bijay Lal Kayastha said that the police first arrested Kandel on June 10 from his home district Palpa after preliminary investigations into the case as complained by Kanya Campus Principal Bhola Regmi.
Regmi claimed that the news posted online was baseless. "It's a conspiracy to defame the college and the students," he said. According to him, the news first appeared on extrakhabar.com, some three weeks ago. Regmi had then lodged a complaint against the portal at the National Women's Commission (NWC) and the MPCO.
According to the police, Panta and Bhattarai of nepaliheadlines.net were also found to have published an extract of the same content from extrakhabar.com. Panta and Bhattarai were held on Thursday.
All the three arrestees were presented to the Kathmandu District Court on Friday. The district court remanded the arrestees in seven-day custody of Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Range Hanumandhoka. The arrestees may be prosecuted under both the Electronic Transaction Act (2008) and the cyber crime laws, said DSP Surendra Mainali of the MPCID. As per the law, the arrestees, if proven guilty, could face a fine up to Rs 50,000 to Rs 100,000 and/or a jail term up to 5 years depending on the severity of the crime.
Meanwhile, the Nepal Press Council on Thursday asked the police to hand over the case to the Council. In a meeting between Press Council officials and the police at Hanumandhoka on Friday morning, Council Chairman Borna Bahadur Karki and members Kishor Shrestha and Khil Bahadur Bhandari appealed to the police to hand over the arrestees to the Council. "Police officials are positive about our appeal," said Karki, adding that the arrested journalists could be handed over to the Council after the police complete their preliminary investigations.
Nepali Ambassador to Qatar Maya Kumari Sharma has landed in trouble once again due to her rude remarks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has sought another clarification from her, this time as to why she dispatched a letter to Qatar i authorities seeking deportation of a Nepali national working in the country.
Sharma, in a letter sent on 1 May, had requested Qatar i authorities to detain and deport Dipendra Bhetwal over a blog critical of her that he had posted.
Bhetwal, who had been out of the country, was summoned by the Qatar i Search and Follow-up Department on 16 June. Although he was asked to bring his passport and a flight ticket, he was later allowed to leave without deportation, according to a statement issued by Amnesty International.
Foreign Secretary Durga Bhattarai had sought clarification from Ambassador Sharma for violating the diplomatic norms and conduct. “Every diplomatic correspondence should be made upon the consent of the Foreign Ministry. She has violated this rule. Before writing to the Qatar i government, she should have sought permission from the headquarters,” said a senior MoFA official.
Sharma has not submitted her clarification yet. Sharma is the only female Nepali ambassador at present.
In a television interview a few months ago, she had termed Qatar as an ‘open jail’, requiring her to furnish a clarification to the MoFA. Her first clarification was not satisfactory, said sources.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has sought another clarification from her, this time as to why she dispatched a letter to Qatar i authorities seeking deportation of a Nepali national working in the country.
Sharma, in a letter sent on 1 May, had requested Qatar i authorities to detain and deport Dipendra Bhetwal over a blog critical of her that he had posted.
Bhetwal, who had been out of the country, was summoned by the Qatar i Search and Follow-up Department on 16 June. Although he was asked to bring his passport and a flight ticket, he was later allowed to leave without deportation, according to a statement issued by Amnesty International.
Foreign Secretary Durga Bhattarai had sought clarification from Ambassador Sharma for violating the diplomatic norms and conduct. “Every diplomatic correspondence should be made upon the consent of the Foreign Ministry. She has violated this rule. Before writing to the Qatar i government, she should have sought permission from the headquarters,” said a senior MoFA official.
Sharma has not submitted her clarification yet. Sharma is the only female Nepali ambassador at present.
In a television interview a few months ago, she had termed Qatar as an ‘open jail’, requiring her to furnish a clarification to the MoFA. Her first clarification was not satisfactory, said sources.
World champions India thrashed Sri Lanka by eight wickets at Cardiff on Thursday to set up a Champions Trophy final against tournament hosts England at Edgbaston on Sunday.
India, chasing a modest target of 182, finished on 182 for two with 15 overs to spare to set up a final against England, who beat South Africa by seven wickets at The Oval on Wednesday.
Opener Shikhar Dhawan, dropped three times, made 68 as he extended his record as the tournament´s leading scorer to 332 runs, at an average of more than 110, following previous innings of 114 against South Africa, 102 not out against the West Indies and 48 against Pakistan.
Virat Kohli was 58 not out, with India now having won seven of their last eight one-day internationals (ODIs) against their Asian rivals.
The course of Thursday´s match, a repeat of the 2011 World Cup final India won by six wickets in Mumbai, was set in the first innings.
After India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss, his seamers exploited the helpful overcast conditions as Sri Lanka were restricted to 181 for eight.
Ishant Sharma took three wickets for 33 runs following impressive work by new-ball duo Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav.
"The conditions were really favourable," said man-of-the-match Ishant Sharma. "The wicket was helpful for the fast bowlers so that paid off for us.
"Bounce and pace is my strength but Bhuvee (Kumar) and Umesh bowled really well," he added.
Meanwhile Dhoni, whose side have now won all four of their matches at this tournament, warned England that India could get better.
"The bowlers have done really well but still there are a few areas where we´d like to improve," he said.
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews top scored with 51 in an innings where no other batsman made more than the 38 of Mahela Jayawardene, who two years ago became the only man to score a hundred in a losing cause in a World Cup final.
"The toss was absolutely crucial; if we won the toss we would have bowled," said Mathews.
"It was seaming, swinging -- the batters were finding it really hard.
"We didn´t play well but credit should go the Indian bowlers - they bowled really well."
Sri Lanka were six for one when Kusal Perera edged a drive off Kumar and was caught at second slip by Suresh Raina.
They suffered a further setback when Tillakaratne Dilshan, after playing an on-drive, pulled up with a right leg injury.
He received on-field treatment but retired hurt shortly afterwards on 12 in the fifth over.
Ishant Sharma, with the aid of two excellent second slip catches by Raina, reduced Sri Lanka to 41 for three by removing Lahiru Thirimanne and dangerman Kumar Sangakkara.
It was a deserved reward for Dhoni´s decision to attack the batsmen with two slips and only two men outside the circle.
The 23rd over saw Dhoni pass on wicketkeeping duties to Dinesh Karthik, a specialist gloveman but mainly deployed as a batsman this tournament.
That allowed Dhoni to bowl himself in conditions suited to his medium-pacers and with his second ball he nearly had Jayawardene, on five, lbw only for the batsman to overturn the decision on review thanks to an inside edge.
Jayawardene was bowled by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja after an ugly swipe across the line
For all Sri Lanka slingshot seamer Lasith Malinga´s skill, his bowling average of 40.88 against India is his highest against any country.
And the tone for India´s reply was set when left-hander Dhawan uppercut Malinga for a stunning six off the last ball of the bowler´s third over.
Worse followed for Sri Lanka when Dhawan was dropped by first slip Mathews off Nuwan Kulasekara and put down by wicketkeeper Sangakkara, standing up, off the same bowler.
Dhawan cashed in with a 73-ball fifty before he he was dropped by Sachitra Sennayake, substitute for Dilshan, at point again off Kulasekara.
He was eventually stumped off Jeevan Mendis but by then India were in sight of victory.
India, chasing a modest target of 182, finished on 182 for two with 15 overs to spare to set up a final against England, who beat South Africa by seven wickets at The Oval on Wednesday.
Opener Shikhar Dhawan, dropped three times, made 68 as he extended his record as the tournament´s leading scorer to 332 runs, at an average of more than 110, following previous innings of 114 against South Africa, 102 not out against the West Indies and 48 against Pakistan.
Virat Kohli was 58 not out, with India now having won seven of their last eight one-day internationals (ODIs) against their Asian rivals.
The course of Thursday´s match, a repeat of the 2011 World Cup final India won by six wickets in Mumbai, was set in the first innings.
After India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss, his seamers exploited the helpful overcast conditions as Sri Lanka were restricted to 181 for eight.
Ishant Sharma took three wickets for 33 runs following impressive work by new-ball duo Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav.
"The conditions were really favourable," said man-of-the-match Ishant Sharma. "The wicket was helpful for the fast bowlers so that paid off for us.
"Bounce and pace is my strength but Bhuvee (Kumar) and Umesh bowled really well," he added.
Meanwhile Dhoni, whose side have now won all four of their matches at this tournament, warned England that India could get better.
"The bowlers have done really well but still there are a few areas where we´d like to improve," he said.
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews top scored with 51 in an innings where no other batsman made more than the 38 of Mahela Jayawardene, who two years ago became the only man to score a hundred in a losing cause in a World Cup final.
"The toss was absolutely crucial; if we won the toss we would have bowled," said Mathews.
"It was seaming, swinging -- the batters were finding it really hard.
"We didn´t play well but credit should go the Indian bowlers - they bowled really well."
Sri Lanka were six for one when Kusal Perera edged a drive off Kumar and was caught at second slip by Suresh Raina.
They suffered a further setback when Tillakaratne Dilshan, after playing an on-drive, pulled up with a right leg injury.
He received on-field treatment but retired hurt shortly afterwards on 12 in the fifth over.
Ishant Sharma, with the aid of two excellent second slip catches by Raina, reduced Sri Lanka to 41 for three by removing Lahiru Thirimanne and dangerman Kumar Sangakkara.
It was a deserved reward for Dhoni´s decision to attack the batsmen with two slips and only two men outside the circle.
The 23rd over saw Dhoni pass on wicketkeeping duties to Dinesh Karthik, a specialist gloveman but mainly deployed as a batsman this tournament.
That allowed Dhoni to bowl himself in conditions suited to his medium-pacers and with his second ball he nearly had Jayawardene, on five, lbw only for the batsman to overturn the decision on review thanks to an inside edge.
Jayawardene was bowled by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja after an ugly swipe across the line
For all Sri Lanka slingshot seamer Lasith Malinga´s skill, his bowling average of 40.88 against India is his highest against any country.
And the tone for India´s reply was set when left-hander Dhawan uppercut Malinga for a stunning six off the last ball of the bowler´s third over.
Worse followed for Sri Lanka when Dhawan was dropped by first slip Mathews off Nuwan Kulasekara and put down by wicketkeeper Sangakkara, standing up, off the same bowler.
Dhawan cashed in with a 73-ball fifty before he he was dropped by Sachitra Sennayake, substitute for Dilshan, at point again off Kulasekara.
He was eventually stumped off Jeevan Mendis but by then India were in sight of victory.
Water taken out from 65 percent of tube wells in the district is not potable, a study carried out by the Drinking Water and Sanitation Sub-Division Office (DWSSDO), Rupandehi, has revealed.
Chief of the DWSSDO Nandalal Banjade said harmful bacteria and traces of faeces and other waste were found in the water.
“We found that many tube wells were drilled without adopting safety measures such as installing a plate to prevent bacteria,” he said.
He said open defecation and mismanagement of waste, which are sources of water contamination, have made matters worse.
According to available data, around 66,000 tube wells were installed in the district for the population of 400,000.
Many people in the district reportedly suffer from various water borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea and jaundice every year.
Banjade said it is high time people in the district drank clean and safe water. “While managing waste properly, it is essential that the district be made an open defecation-free zone,” he said.
Available data show that around 130,000 households do not have toilets at their homes. Seven VDCs such as Shankarnagar Anandaban, Karahiya, Madhawaliya, Devdaha, Paroha and Saljhandi have been declared open defecation-free zones so far.
Banjadi said that with a view to making the district open defecation-free zone, a provision is in place, according to which, people who do not have toilets at their homes will not be given government services.
Chief of the DWSSDO Nandalal Banjade said harmful bacteria and traces of faeces and other waste were found in the water.
“We found that many tube wells were drilled without adopting safety measures such as installing a plate to prevent bacteria,” he said.
He said open defecation and mismanagement of waste, which are sources of water contamination, have made matters worse.
According to available data, around 66,000 tube wells were installed in the district for the population of 400,000.
Many people in the district reportedly suffer from various water borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea and jaundice every year.
Banjade said it is high time people in the district drank clean and safe water. “While managing waste properly, it is essential that the district be made an open defecation-free zone,” he said.
Available data show that around 130,000 households do not have toilets at their homes. Seven VDCs such as Shankarnagar Anandaban, Karahiya, Madhawaliya, Devdaha, Paroha and Saljhandi have been declared open defecation-free zones so far.
Banjadi said that with a view to making the district open defecation-free zone, a provision is in place, according to which, people who do not have toilets at their homes will not be given government services.
Doctors attending to President Ram Baran Yadav have said he needs to undergo more tests for at least two days.Yadav, who reached Tokyo on Tuesday and subsequently got admitted at the Tokyo University Hospital, is undergoing various kinds of tests to find out what's wrong in his large intestine.
"Doctors at the University of Tokyo Hospital are still conducting tests. Prof Toshiaki Watanabe, who is supervising the team of experts examining the President, told that the tests would continue for at least two days," said a statement issued by Nepali Embassy in Japan .
The President is relaxed, had a sound sleep both nights and has been taking normal food as prescribed by the doctors, the statement read. It will reportedly take another 3 to 4 days to reach a conclusion about his health condition after analysing all test reports.
Chairman of Interim Election Council of Ministers Khil Raj Regmi, while speaking at a press meet after visiting Mahakali flood victims in Darchula on Thursday, said the government will provide Rs 500 million for reconstruction of the flood-ravaged district.
The fund will be used to reconstruct damaged roads and river embankments and rehabilitate the displaced people, Regmi said after taking stock of the flood-affected areas in the district.
He said each flood-affected family will be provided Rs 35, 000 as immediate relief. Regmi also said Darchula will be declared a disaster-hit district. The flood victims however expressed dissatisfaction as the government team came here only five days after the disaster hit the district headquarters, Khalanga.
The fund will be used to reconstruct damaged roads and river embankments and rehabilitate the displaced people, Regmi said after taking stock of the flood-affected areas in the district.
He said each flood-affected family will be provided Rs 35, 000 as immediate relief. Regmi also said Darchula will be declared a disaster-hit district. The flood victims however expressed dissatisfaction as the government team came here only five days after the disaster hit the district headquarters, Khalanga.
Three Nepali were killed and 13 others injured when a minivan met with an accident in Qatar on Tuesday evening.
The accident took place when the minivan hit a side wall after a tyre burst. The vehicle was carrying 16 Nepali workers who were returning from their worksite in Doha to their accommodation in Al Sailiya.
According to local The Peninsula Daily, the dead have been identified as Krishna Rajbanshi, Paspal Dhamal and Brijnath Pandit, all between aged 35 and 40.
A Nepali worker injured in the accident informed the daily that the driver lost control of the van after the tyre burst and broke a steel divider before hitting the wall.
The van took several turns on the highway, before hitting the wall. One of the dead was thrown out of the van and was probably run over by it. The other two died apparently after hitting the steel body and the bars of the van with severe force.
All the others traveling in the van were injured. Five of them are said to be in critical condition. They were rushed to Hamad Medical Corporation for treatment. Six injured workers have been discharged while the others have been receiving treatment.
Nepali embassy in Qatar has said that it has not received any information about the accident.
According to local The Peninsula Daily, the dead have been identified as Krishna Rajbanshi, Paspal Dhamal and Brijnath Pandit, all between aged 35 and 40.
A Nepali worker injured in the accident informed the daily that the driver lost control of the van after the tyre burst and broke a steel divider before hitting the wall.
The van took several turns on the highway, before hitting the wall. One of the dead was thrown out of the van and was probably run over by it. The other two died apparently after hitting the steel body and the bars of the van with severe force.
All the others traveling in the van were injured. Five of them are said to be in critical condition. They were rushed to Hamad Medical Corporation for treatment. Six injured workers have been discharged while the others have been receiving treatment.
Nepali embassy in Qatar has said that it has not received any information about the accident.
The body of a girl, who had gone missing in Trishuli River with four other persons, has been found on Thursday morning.Locals had informed police after the body of Manika Regmi was found on the banks of Trishuli River at Kerabari of Kabilash VDC in Chitwan this morning.
The whereabouts of four other missing in the river has not been established yet. Four girls and a man aged 18 to 22, had gone missing while they were swimming in the river last Saturday.
The victims, who went to Kurintar in Darechok VDC along Prithvi Highway to enjoy holiday, were the permanent residents of Bharatpur-5 in the district.
Six youths from Jajarkot district heading to India for employment after completing their +2 examination have been swept away by flood .
The incident came to light when one Dal Bahadur Singh, who was also going to India along with the victims, telephoned their family members about the incident. The six were swept by a flood and landslide on their way to Kedhar Dham.
The deceased have been identified as Abhi Bahadur Singh, 27, Ganesh Bahadur Singh, 20, Bakhath Bahadur Singh, 22, Dhirendra Bahadur Singh, 22, Birendra Bahadur Singh, 19, of Talegaun-4. The flood also swept away Hari Bahadur Singh, 18, of Talegaun-7.
All the deceased, except Abhi Bahadur Singh, who was studying B. Ed, had completed their +2 examination and were heading to India for employment.
The incident came to light when one Dal Bahadur Singh, who was also going to India along with the victims, telephoned their family members about the incident. The six were swept by a flood and landslide on their way to Kedhar Dham.
The deceased have been identified as Abhi Bahadur Singh, 27, Ganesh Bahadur Singh, 20, Bakhath Bahadur Singh, 22, Dhirendra Bahadur Singh, 22, Birendra Bahadur Singh, 19, of Talegaun-4. The flood also swept away Hari Bahadur Singh, 18, of Talegaun-7.
All the deceased, except Abhi Bahadur Singh, who was studying B. Ed, had completed their +2 examination and were heading to India for employment.
The move primarily aims at garnering support from leaders of the major political parties, including the Nepali Congress and UML, who rule out poll chances without bringing the dissident parties on board.
A joint meeting of Baidya-led alliance held at the CPN-Maoist headquarters on Tuesday said the discussion programme “Broader National Political Agreement and Election” will be held in the Capital on June 23. Leaders said the venue will be finalised soon.
The meeting also urged the government to provide all help to the people displaced by natural disasters.
A Fishtail Air chopper on rescue mission crash ed on the banks of the Karnali river in Humla district on Wednesday afternoon.
The ill-fated helicopter with six people onboard was returning after transporting a rescue to Muchu-9 in Hilsa village near the border of Tibet. The team were sent for rescue of people affected by landslides.
The accident site lies 41 miles north of Simikot, headquarters of Humla district.
According to police inspector at District Police Office Humla, Yubaraj Chaudhari, a team of police have been sent to the incident site. “Three people were seen coming out of the chopper safely. The other might have been trapped inside,” said Chaudhari, talking to eKantipur. “The chopper’s tail caught fire after the crash but it extinguished later.”
Meanwhile, police have recovered four bodies of a single family who died after their house collapsed due to landslide. The bodies have been sent to Simikot for postmortem.
The deceased have been identified as Camma Lama, 35, his six-year-old daughter, Hitka Lama, another daughter, Chirichito, 4, and two-year-old son.
According to police station in-charge, Shiva Wali, a team of 27 personnel have been deployed for rescue.
The ill-fated helicopter with six people onboard was returning after transporting a rescue to Muchu-9 in Hilsa village near the border of Tibet. The team were sent for rescue of people affected by landslides.
The accident site lies 41 miles north of Simikot, headquarters of Humla district.
According to police inspector at District Police Office Humla, Yubaraj Chaudhari, a team of police have been sent to the incident site. “Three people were seen coming out of the chopper safely. The other might have been trapped inside,” said Chaudhari, talking to eKantipur. “The chopper’s tail caught fire after the crash but it extinguished later.”
Meanwhile, police have recovered four bodies of a single family who died after their house collapsed due to landslide. The bodies have been sent to Simikot for postmortem.
The deceased have been identified as Camma Lama, 35, his six-year-old daughter, Hitka Lama, another daughter, Chirichito, 4, and two-year-old son.
According to police station in-charge, Shiva Wali, a team of 27 personnel have been deployed for rescue.
Police have started collecting statistics of the families affected by flood in Kanchanpur district from today.
Police started to collect the data after the meeting of the Disaster Management Committee held at the District Administration Office, Kanchanpur, on Tuesday decided to give the responsibility to police to collect the data and to provide relief.
Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office, Kanchanpur, Binod Sharma Ghimire, said that police have started to collect statistics of flood affected families of Odali, Piparaiya, Badaipur, Dodhara and Chandani of the Bhimdutta Municipality, which are mostly destroyed by the floods in Mahakali River.
More than 300 families in Dodhara, Chandani and Bhimdutta Municipality have been displaced by the flood, said police.
Ghimire said that five kilograms of rice, half kg of pulse, half litre of edible oil, one packet of salt, among others, per day, would be provided to a household with five members, who are completely displaced by the flood, as per the decision of the Committee.
Police started to collect the data after the meeting of the Disaster Management Committee held at the District Administration Office, Kanchanpur, on Tuesday decided to give the responsibility to police to collect the data and to provide relief.
Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office, Kanchanpur, Binod Sharma Ghimire, said that police have started to collect statistics of flood affected families of Odali, Piparaiya, Badaipur, Dodhara and Chandani of the Bhimdutta Municipality, which are mostly destroyed by the floods in Mahakali River.
More than 300 families in Dodhara, Chandani and Bhimdutta Municipality have been displaced by the flood, said police.
Ghimire said that five kilograms of rice, half kg of pulse, half litre of edible oil, one packet of salt, among others, per day, would be provided to a household with five members, who are completely displaced by the flood, as per the decision of the Committee.
The agitating employees of Nepal Electricity Authority have cut off the power supply to the Pulchowk-based ministers' quarters for two hours, in Lalitpur district on Sunday morning.The electricity supply was cut off in protest against the government decision to upgrade the capacity of Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project amid protests from various quarters.
The agitating employees also staged a sit-in outside the ministers' quarters. They have warned to increase the power cut hours if their demands were not met.
Employees unions have been protesting against the recent NEA decision to upgrade the capacity of Upper Trishuli 3 A Hydropower Project. The move will escalate the cost by Rs 4 billion and delay the construction by three more years.
Two persons have been arrested by police on the charge of murdering Sadrul Miya Haque , a member of the dissolved Constituent Assembly (CA).
The arrestees have been identified as Haque's own daughter Rabeda and one Abdul Rauf.
"As per preliminary investigation, we had suspected that family dispute might have led to the murder," Deputy Inspector General of police Parshuram Khatri said.
A team of the Central Investigation Bureau arrested them from one of the villages in Saptari on Thursday.
It has been reported that Rabeda and Abdul had a close relation from a long time. Meanwhile, further investigation is underway.
"Other involved in the murder have been hiding in India", according to police sources.
Haque, who was elected CA member from Constituency No 5 in Saptari district as an independent candidate, was found murdered in a room at his petrol pump in Kalyanpur-2 on May 21.
The arrestees have been identified as Haque's own daughter Rabeda and one Abdul Rauf.
"As per preliminary investigation, we had suspected that family dispute might have led to the murder," Deputy Inspector General of police Parshuram Khatri said.
A team of the Central Investigation Bureau arrested them from one of the villages in Saptari on Thursday.
It has been reported that Rabeda and Abdul had a close relation from a long time. Meanwhile, further investigation is underway.
"Other involved in the murder have been hiding in India", according to police sources.
Haque, who was elected CA member from Constituency No 5 in Saptari district as an independent candidate, was found murdered in a room at his petrol pump in Kalyanpur-2 on May 21.
Nepal Telecom ( NT ) has decided to increase the validity period of the balance held by pre-paid mobile users in response to criticism from customers and the Nepal Telecommunications Authority ( NT A).
The telecom giant said the validity period for recharging a mobile phone by Rs 100 would be raised to two months from the current 21 days. The move will especially benefit low spending customers. They have been forced to extend the validity period by topping off their phones to keep them active even though they have an unused balance.
A meeting of NT board held last week decided to increase the validity period of the balance. The NT A has long been badgering the state-owned company to increase the validity period. The short lifespan of a recharge has been inconvenient for cell phone owners who maintain a small balance and use their sets mostly to receive calls.
“We will be lengthening the validity period keeping in mind its importance for customers who spend little on telecom service,” said a NT board member. He added that the validity periods were being doubled for all recharge plans.
Presently, NT provides a validity period of two months, six months and one year for recharging the phone by Rs 200, Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 respectively. Under the proposed scheme, the validity period will be raised to five months, one year and two years respectively.
Meanwhile, NT A officials said that they had been asking NT to increase the validity period acting on constant complaints from customers. “It is good that NT is extending the balance expiry date. We have been urging the company to do this for the last one and half years,” said Arjun Ghimire, deputy director of the NT A’s Consumer and Economic Analysis Section. He added that Ncell had been providing a validity period of six months for recharging the balance by Rs 100.
NT is in final stages of increasing the validity period which is expected to retain existing customers and attract new users. “We will make the new validity provision public soon,” said Babu Kaji Shakya, deputy managing director of NT ’s Business and Change Management. Over 95 percent of NT ’s GSM mobile users use the pre-paid service. Its subscriber base amounted to 7.12 million as of mid-March 2013.
The telecom giant said the validity period for recharging a mobile phone by Rs 100 would be raised to two months from the current 21 days. The move will especially benefit low spending customers. They have been forced to extend the validity period by topping off their phones to keep them active even though they have an unused balance.A meeting of NT board held last week decided to increase the validity period of the balance. The NT A has long been badgering the state-owned company to increase the validity period. The short lifespan of a recharge has been inconvenient for cell phone owners who maintain a small balance and use their sets mostly to receive calls.
“We will be lengthening the validity period keeping in mind its importance for customers who spend little on telecom service,” said a NT board member. He added that the validity periods were being doubled for all recharge plans.
Presently, NT provides a validity period of two months, six months and one year for recharging the phone by Rs 200, Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 respectively. Under the proposed scheme, the validity period will be raised to five months, one year and two years respectively.
Meanwhile, NT A officials said that they had been asking NT to increase the validity period acting on constant complaints from customers. “It is good that NT is extending the balance expiry date. We have been urging the company to do this for the last one and half years,” said Arjun Ghimire, deputy director of the NT A’s Consumer and Economic Analysis Section. He added that Ncell had been providing a validity period of six months for recharging the balance by Rs 100.
NT is in final stages of increasing the validity period which is expected to retain existing customers and attract new users. “We will make the new validity provision public soon,” said Babu Kaji Shakya, deputy managing director of NT ’s Business and Change Management. Over 95 percent of NT ’s GSM mobile users use the pre-paid service. Its subscriber base amounted to 7.12 million as of mid-March 2013.
Two people have gone missing after a Kathmandu-bound tanker carrying milk veered off the road and fell some 65 meters down into the Trishuli River at Jyamireghat, Jogimara-9 along the Privthvi Highway here in the district, on Thursday night.The missing people are the driver Chhatra Bahadur Thapa of Sarlahi, but currently residing in Butwal, and a passenger, whose identity is not known yet, said Bal Krishna Bhatta, a police sub inspector at the Majimtar police station.
Police said Thapa’s assistant Prakash Poudel was rescued alive. He has been taken to Kathmandu for treatment. The search for the missing is underway. Police believes the tanker (Ga 1 Gha 544) coming from Butwal met with the mishap due to a slippery road.
The defence attorney pleading for Nepal Army Colonel Kumar Lama , who is facing trial in the United Kingdom ( UK ) for alleged crimes committed during the Maoist conflict, has pleaded that the colonel cannot be punished twice for a single crime under the principle of double jeopardy.
Appearing in the Old Balley court in London, Barrister James Lewis maintained that Nepal's Kapilvastu District Court had already ordered Lama to pay compensation to the victims and a departmental inquiry had halted his promotion.
The double jeopardy principle has also been raised in the 'country paper' sent by Nepal in Lama's case.
The Barrister also sought Lama's immunity, stating that he is a state official of Nepal and a UN expert in a mission. Lama was a military observer in south Sudan under the United Nations peace keeping mission until his arrest.
Lewis told the court that the Chairman of the Interim Election Government, Khil Raj Regmi, had written to his British counterpart David Cameron, saying that under international laws, Britain should have given Nepal a chance to extradite Lama.
“It simply was not done in this case. That is the complaint that was made by the prime minister of Nepal,” Lewis told the court.
However, British prosecutor Boby Dhima said Lama cannot be granted immunity if accused of torture, which the prosecutor said, is an international crime.
Lama was arrested by the UK 's Metropolitan Police from his home in St Leonards-on-sea on January 3 on two counts of torture committed by him between April and October 2005 at the Gorusinghe Army Barracks in Kapisvastu district.
Human rights lawyer Govinda Bandi said the principle of double jeopardy cannot be cited in this case as the Kapilvastu District Court had ordered only compensation for the victims.
The next hearing is scheduled for June 19.
Appearing in the Old Balley court in London, Barrister James Lewis maintained that Nepal's Kapilvastu District Court had already ordered Lama to pay compensation to the victims and a departmental inquiry had halted his promotion.The double jeopardy principle has also been raised in the 'country paper' sent by Nepal in Lama's case.
The Barrister also sought Lama's immunity, stating that he is a state official of Nepal and a UN expert in a mission. Lama was a military observer in south Sudan under the United Nations peace keeping mission until his arrest.
Lewis told the court that the Chairman of the Interim Election Government, Khil Raj Regmi, had written to his British counterpart David Cameron, saying that under international laws, Britain should have given Nepal a chance to extradite Lama.
“It simply was not done in this case. That is the complaint that was made by the prime minister of Nepal,” Lewis told the court.
However, British prosecutor Boby Dhima said Lama cannot be granted immunity if accused of torture, which the prosecutor said, is an international crime.
Lama was arrested by the UK 's Metropolitan Police from his home in St Leonards-on-sea on January 3 on two counts of torture committed by him between April and October 2005 at the Gorusinghe Army Barracks in Kapisvastu district.
Human rights lawyer Govinda Bandi said the principle of double jeopardy cannot be cited in this case as the Kapilvastu District Court had ordered only compensation for the victims.
The next hearing is scheduled for June 19.
Nine people including eight members of a family were perished in a landslide at Thukima VDC-6 in Taplejung district on Wednesday night. Three others have gone missing.
According to DSP Govinda Acharya, the landslide triggered by incessant rainfall buried their houses killing Asta Bahadur Siwa, 60, his wife, son Salman Siwa, 40, daughter-in-law Manmaya Siwa, 34, and grandchildren Naniran, 14, Naina Ram and Khagendra 12 and ten-year-old Nina of Tej Bahadur Siwa.
One Sukumaya was rescued from the mudslide but she breathed her last as she was brought to the district headquarters for treatment.
All those missing are from the same family.
Teams of Nepal Army and Armed Police Force reached the incident site earlier in the day and joined the locals in rescue operation.
Chief District Officer Kiran Thapa said all the houses except those swept away are not in danger. The mudslide has blocked the way to a local school disrupting the classes.
According to DSP Govinda Acharya, the landslide triggered by incessant rainfall buried their houses killing Asta Bahadur Siwa, 60, his wife, son Salman Siwa, 40, daughter-in-law Manmaya Siwa, 34, and grandchildren Naniran, 14, Naina Ram and Khagendra 12 and ten-year-old Nina of Tej Bahadur Siwa.One Sukumaya was rescued from the mudslide but she breathed her last as she was brought to the district headquarters for treatment.
All those missing are from the same family.
Teams of Nepal Army and Armed Police Force reached the incident site earlier in the day and joined the locals in rescue operation.
Chief District Officer Kiran Thapa said all the houses except those swept away are not in danger. The mudslide has blocked the way to a local school disrupting the classes.
Paris Jackson, the daughter of late pop legend Michael Jackson, is in hospital after attempting to kill herself, a publicist has confirmed.
Paris, 15, is physically fine, her grandmother's lawyer told the Associated Press news agency.
Emergency officials said they responded to a reported overdose in the Calabasas area of Los Angeles where Paris lives, but did not identify the patient.
Local media say she left the family home at about 02:00 PST (09:00 GMT).
Earlier on Wednesday, Angel Howansky, a long-time publicist for Joe Jackson - Michael Jackson's father and the girl's grandfather - could not confirm reports of a possible drug overdose or multiple cuts on her wrist.
Paris, Michael Jackson's only daughter, is currently part of a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the concert promoters AEG Live, who the Jackson family says bears responsibility for her father's death from an accidental drug overdose in June 2009.
The BBC's Regan Morris in Los Angeles says Michael Jackson went to great lengths to shield his children from the public eye, shrouding them in masks and baggy clothes so they could not be recognised.
He wanted to give them the chance for a more typical childhood than he had as a child star, but after being sheltered for years, Paris Jackson has lived a very public life since his death, our reporter says.
Paris is a cheerleader at her private school and seems comfortable in the limelight - appearing poised and articulate at Michael Jackson tribute events with her grandmother and her two brothers, known as Prince and Blanket.
She is also a popular target for the paparazzi and tabloids, our reporter adds.
Paris also has a popular Twitter account where she discusses music and homework and dispenses make-up tips to her million-plus followers.
Her most recent tweet was a quote from a famous Beatles song: "yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away now it looks as though they're here to stay."
Paris, 15, is physically fine, her grandmother's lawyer told the Associated Press news agency.Emergency officials said they responded to a reported overdose in the Calabasas area of Los Angeles where Paris lives, but did not identify the patient.
Local media say she left the family home at about 02:00 PST (09:00 GMT).
Earlier on Wednesday, Angel Howansky, a long-time publicist for Joe Jackson - Michael Jackson's father and the girl's grandfather - could not confirm reports of a possible drug overdose or multiple cuts on her wrist.
Paris, Michael Jackson's only daughter, is currently part of a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the concert promoters AEG Live, who the Jackson family says bears responsibility for her father's death from an accidental drug overdose in June 2009.
The BBC's Regan Morris in Los Angeles says Michael Jackson went to great lengths to shield his children from the public eye, shrouding them in masks and baggy clothes so they could not be recognised.
He wanted to give them the chance for a more typical childhood than he had as a child star, but after being sheltered for years, Paris Jackson has lived a very public life since his death, our reporter says.
Paris is a cheerleader at her private school and seems comfortable in the limelight - appearing poised and articulate at Michael Jackson tribute events with her grandmother and her two brothers, known as Prince and Blanket.
She is also a popular target for the paparazzi and tabloids, our reporter adds.
Paris also has a popular Twitter account where she discusses music and homework and dispenses make-up tips to her million-plus followers.
Her most recent tweet was a quote from a famous Beatles song: "yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away now it looks as though they're here to stay."
The government has endorsed two ordinances concerning Anti-Money Laundering —Second Amendment of the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2008 and the Proceed of Crime Bill.
A Cabinet meeting held on Thursday also decided to forward the ordinances for approval from the President. After the Cabinet ’s nod, the ordinances have to be endorsed by the President before they become law.
The two Acts have to be introduced to avoid any possible blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global anti-money laundering body.
The FATF has given June 2013 deadline to introduce the Acts, warning severe consequences in the event of Nepal’s failure to do so.
The proposed amendment has made a provision which requires an individual carrying foreign currencies and precious metals exceeding a certain amount to declare that to the concerned authorities.
Likewise, other provisions in the amendment bill states that the Foreign Ministry should inform about terrorists and terrorist organisations declared by the United Nations Security Council to the concerned country to prevent their investment and flow of money inside the country.
The draft amendment also defines predicate offenses of money laundering as crimes. Predicate offenses are activities that would lead to money laundering, such as corruption, tax dodging, organised crimes and human trafficking. Given the existing Acts not covering the full list of crimes defined as predicate offense by the FATF, the proposed amendment to the Act has incorporated them.
On the other hand, the proposed ‘Proceed of Crime Bill’ has provisioned a separate entity for looking after the property confiscated from individuals allegedly involved in money laundering and terrorist financing activities. As the country has no separate law to deal with property earned through money laundering activities, the FATF asked Nepal to formulate the Act.
The office will have the authority to seize, freeze and confiscate illegally-earned property. The proposed entity will be responsible for not only managing seized property suspected of being acquired through money laundering activities, but also the property that is earned as a result of predicate offenses of money laundering such as corruption, organised crime, human trafficking and trafficking of endangered species.
A Cabinet meeting held on Thursday also decided to forward the ordinances for approval from the President. After the Cabinet ’s nod, the ordinances have to be endorsed by the President before they become law.The two Acts have to be introduced to avoid any possible blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global anti-money laundering body.
The FATF has given June 2013 deadline to introduce the Acts, warning severe consequences in the event of Nepal’s failure to do so.
The proposed amendment has made a provision which requires an individual carrying foreign currencies and precious metals exceeding a certain amount to declare that to the concerned authorities.
Likewise, other provisions in the amendment bill states that the Foreign Ministry should inform about terrorists and terrorist organisations declared by the United Nations Security Council to the concerned country to prevent their investment and flow of money inside the country.
The draft amendment also defines predicate offenses of money laundering as crimes. Predicate offenses are activities that would lead to money laundering, such as corruption, tax dodging, organised crimes and human trafficking. Given the existing Acts not covering the full list of crimes defined as predicate offense by the FATF, the proposed amendment to the Act has incorporated them.
On the other hand, the proposed ‘Proceed of Crime Bill’ has provisioned a separate entity for looking after the property confiscated from individuals allegedly involved in money laundering and terrorist financing activities. As the country has no separate law to deal with property earned through money laundering activities, the FATF asked Nepal to formulate the Act.
The office will have the authority to seize, freeze and confiscate illegally-earned property. The proposed entity will be responsible for not only managing seized property suspected of being acquired through money laundering activities, but also the property that is earned as a result of predicate offenses of money laundering such as corruption, organised crime, human trafficking and trafficking of endangered species.
Talks between the agitating former Kamlari s and the government on Wednesday ended with the formation of an investigation team that will probe into the death of Srijana Chaudhary. The 12-year-old Kamlari girl was found burned to death in late-March at one Yubraj Poudel's residence in Lalitpur.
According to a press statement released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), the investigation committee includes SSP Uttam Karki and SP Ganesh Air, headed by Director General of the Department of Prison Management, Shambhu Prasad Koirala. The panel is expected to submit its report within seven days.
Shanta Chaudhary, former Kamlari and Constituent Assembly member, welcomed the move. "We had been clear that unless they arrest Poudel first, we would not resume talks. Hopefully, this means the arrest will take place soon," she said.
"The government's refusal to arrest Poudel right away had led to the disintegration of the talks on Wednesday," said Phakala Tharu, programme manager at the United Committee for the Elimination of Kamlari Practice, the banner above the protests.
While Tharu is sceptical that the talks will lead anywhere without the arrest of Poudel first, Ganesh Raj Karki, joint-secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, is hopeful.
"Tomorrow, we plan to address issues of rehabilitation, ID cards and other points in the demands," said Karki. He is one of the five members in the government's talks team headed by Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Riddhibaba Pradhan. Further talks between the government and former Kamlari s will resume on Thursday.
Meanwhile, peaceful protests at Ratnapark and the indefinite Tarai banda continue.
According to a press statement released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), the investigation committee includes SSP Uttam Karki and SP Ganesh Air, headed by Director General of the Department of Prison Management, Shambhu Prasad Koirala. The panel is expected to submit its report within seven days.Shanta Chaudhary, former Kamlari and Constituent Assembly member, welcomed the move. "We had been clear that unless they arrest Poudel first, we would not resume talks. Hopefully, this means the arrest will take place soon," she said.
"The government's refusal to arrest Poudel right away had led to the disintegration of the talks on Wednesday," said Phakala Tharu, programme manager at the United Committee for the Elimination of Kamlari Practice, the banner above the protests.
While Tharu is sceptical that the talks will lead anywhere without the arrest of Poudel first, Ganesh Raj Karki, joint-secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, is hopeful.
"Tomorrow, we plan to address issues of rehabilitation, ID cards and other points in the demands," said Karki. He is one of the five members in the government's talks team headed by Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Riddhibaba Pradhan. Further talks between the government and former Kamlari s will resume on Thursday.
Meanwhile, peaceful protests at Ratnapark and the indefinite Tarai banda continue.
Eight years have elapsed since the horrendous Badarmude incident in which 38 locals lost their lives in an ambush set up by the Maoists, and the injured who survived have still not received justice and proper compensation from the government.The incident dates back to the insurgency period. A bus loaded with passengers was caught in a bomb explosion triggered by the Maoists at the Badarmude rivulet in the Madi area of Chitwan district.
“Forget about justice for us, my injuries from the blast have not yet healed,” said Krishna Adhikari, one of the victims who is also deputy chief of the struggle committed formed to pressure the government over the matter.
“Among the total injured, nine have been undergoing treatment at their own expense, and the government itself has provided no medical treatment for the surviving victims to date,” said Adhikari.
Doctors have recommend to another of the injured, Ishwor Poudel, 42, of Kalyanpur VDC Wada-4, to take medicines for the rest of his life, and he rarely misses his twice-daily pills. Had the government paid attention to his plight, he would have returned to being active and agile like other people, said Poudel.
Poudel, the victim who lives nearest to the blast site, was the last person to board the bus. The bus had picked him up and gone just 200 meters when the blast occured.
“I didn´t have to pay for any of the initial medical treatment but afterwards I had to meet all the expenses. So far I have spend around Rs 500,000 on my treatment,” he said.
“It´s not that I haven´t knocked on the doors of Chitwan District Administration Office (DAO) time and again, but they turn deaf ear every time,” added Poudel.
Adhikari is also on regular medication. During the blast he received injuries to the chest, hips and legs and he can now walk only with a crutch. “Among the total number injured, nine are still undergoing regular checkups,” he said.
Besides those killed, altogether 72 passengers were injured in the blast. “Only 18 of the injured have received Rs 40,000 as a relief package,” Adhikari added.
Three persons were killed when a landslide buried a house at Thukimba in Taplejung district on Wednesday night.The landslide triggered by incessant rainfall killed Hasta Bahadur Siwa and Salman Siwa. The identification of another person killed in the incident has not been ascertained yet. Five persons have gone missing in the landslip.
Local people and police have been carrying out the rescue work. A team of Nepal Army and Armed Police Force from district headquarters has also been dispatched for rescue in the region.
Six persons were killed and over dozen injured when a passenger bus plunged into the Karnali River on Wednesday morning.The night bus (Na 3 Kha 4738) heading for Surkhet from Rakam karnali skidded off the road and fell some 100 meters down the road into the Karnali River at Siyala in Nepa VDC of Dailekh district along the Karnali Highway this morning.
The ill-feted bus had over 40 passengers. The identification of the deceased is yet to be ascertained.
Meanwhile, a police team from the district has been deployed in the area for the rescue operation.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked Chairman of the Interim Election Government Khil Raj Regmi to explain as to why he was holding the dual positions of the executive head and that of judiciary.A single bench of Justice Girish Chandra Lal has asked Regmi, the sole defendant in the petition, to furnish reply within 15 days of receiving the court order. The bench was responding to a petition filed by Bharat Jungum demanding resignation of Regmi from the post of chief justice.
Jungum had moved the court on May 27 arguing that holding of dual position was against the principle of separation of powers. The court administration had a day earlier asked Jungum to clarify the legal basis for seeking the resignation.
Jungum argues that Regmi, who held the position of chief justice, did not even consider the fact that a petition remains sub judice challenging his possible appointment and took oath on the same day when hearing of the petition was scheduled. However, an apex court ruling on March 18 by Justice Lal himself has ordered that Regmi be known only as chairman of the interim election government and not chief justice so long as he remains at the helm of the government.
A Nepali woman was found murder ed after being raped in Reading, England on Monday.
Forty-year-old Krishna Maya Mabo, a permanent resident of Tharpu-6 in Panchthar district, had gone missing since the morning of June 3. Her body was found at a field in Robin Hood Copse between Castle Hill and Eversley Road at about 1pm local time on the same day. The body was found during a major search involving a police helicopter and dogs.
Mabo's husband Thaluman Mabo said that initial reports had shown that Mabo was murder ed after rape. Thaluman, a retired British Army soldier, now works in the Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS) of the British Army. Mabo was residing in Reading since 2000 and is survived by a son and two daughters.
Her body has been kept at Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading for post-mortem.
Police has arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of murder .
Mabo's husband Thaluman Mabo said that initial reports had shown that Mabo was murder ed after rape. Thaluman, a retired British Army soldier, now works in the Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS) of the British Army. Mabo was residing in Reading since 2000 and is survived by a son and two daughters.
Her body has been kept at Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading for post-mortem.
Police has arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of murder .
A fire broke out at Lazimpat based Shangrila Hotel in the Capital on Wednesday afternoon. It has been learnt that the Five-Star Hotel caught fire at around 5 PM. The fire has not come under control.The reason behind the fire has not been known as yet as the locals and the Hotel employees have been trying to put out the fire .
A flood in Maikhola followed by heavy rainfall has damaged the under-construction Mai Hydropower Project in Ilam district. The details of the damage are awaited. Police Inspector Bijaya Shrestha said a team of the police personnel has been deployed from Danabari to inquire about the total loss incurred by the flood.
Meanwhile, the continuous rainfall for four days has added difficulties to the vehicular movement in the rural parts of the district.
The transportation entrepreneurs said that the flashfloods have damaged the rural roads in the district.
Similarly, the maize cultivation in the district has been damaged due to a wind coupled with the rain on Wednesday. The farmers have complained that mature plants of the maize have fallen due to the strong wind, causing a great loss to them.
Likewise, power supply has been disrupted since Thursday in the district due to the wind. Three daily newspapers, three FM stations and a weekly newspaper have been directed affected due to power disruption in the district.