Nepal Highlights

Thousands people, mostly Maoist cadres and supporters, from in and around Kathmandu have thronged the open-theatre, Kathmandu to listen to Maoist leaders. The Unified CPN (Maoist) has organized a mass assembly after rallies from various places in Kathmandu demanding for civil supremacy. Top Maoist leaders are addressing the gathering. Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal is addressing the gathering now. Addressing the gathering, Dahal said, nobody understands the plight of poor, Nepali farmers than the Maoists.

More than 20 killed in bus accident More than 20 persons have been killed while the situation ofscores of others remains unknown as a passenger bus coming from Jalbire, Sindhupalchok to Kathmandu plunged into Sunkoshi river from a place called 79-kilo located between Sikute and Bapheli along the Arniko highway, Thursday. The bus with the number plate Na-2-Kha 6228 plunged into the Sunkoshi River at around 9:30 a.m. Thursday. The number of passengers travelling in the bus remains sketchy, but reports said there were at least 35 passengers. 17 out of 20 deceased have been identified. Passengers managed to save their lives by jumping off the bus as it dived in the river. Three rescued passengers have been brought to Kathmandu and Dhulikhel hospital for treatment. Most of the missing passengers are feared dead. The accident occurred due to over speeding as two buses were competing to reach Kathmandu first, according to the accounts of the rescued passengers. --------------