Nepal Highlights

Unified CPN (Maoist) central leaders marched to various border towns along the Nepal-India border and addressed mass assemblies organised there, Monday.

Heads of missions of various European countries including France, Germany, Switzerland, and Norway have welcomed the formation of the High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM).

Unified CPN (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has coughed out yet another joke while addressing a mass in Dhangadi. Prachanda, who has developed an image of speaking out whatever comes to his mind at a given time and refuting it the next day or blaming media for distorting it, said on Sunday, he was offered the position of Nepal's Prime Minister for life long during the army chief episode in May. However, he did not disclose from who he had got the offer.

Bara, Parsa and Rautahat districts, which were closed since Thursday morning in protest of killing of three Maoist cadres, have opened few minutes ago after the local administration agreed to fulfil the demands of the agitators. Bhojpura Rajya Samiti of the Unified CPN (Maoist) had closed transporation, market, factories, educational institutions and offices in the three districts from yesterday morning after three of their leaders were shot dead and two others injured by unidentified gunment Wednesday night. Transportation has resumed and markets have started to open after the Maoists lifted the strike after the administration agreed to fulfill their 7-point demands. They had demanded the deceased be declared martyrs, compensation to the family and treatment of the injured among others. 

A major fire has broken out in Shyaulibang of Pyuthan. The place is the same where an underground armed outfit had attacked the police post killing one policeman on duty and looted some weapons few months ago. Initial reports say, the fire started at about 2.30 pm, this afternoon and has already gutted about three dozen houses. The cause of the fire is not known. Fire has started simultaneously in three wards - 5, 6 and 7 of Shyaulibang. Police from Shyaulibang post and neigboring posts have been deployed to curb the fire. Shyaulibang is a hamlet in Pyuthan-Baglung border and is at least 8 hours walk from Pyuthan district headquarter. Details to follow.

Three persons were killed by unidentified gunmen in Bara, Wednesday night. Two of them are cadres of the Unified CPN (Maoist). They were killed at about 9.45 pm, Wednesday when they were returning after a feast on the occassion of the inauguration of a brick chimney. Those killed by the firing are Ram Prakash Yadav, Dara Yadav and Anita Mahato. Two others were injured. The injured are being treated in Kathmandu. Police have suspected use of modern weapons including the Short Machine Gun (SMG) in the incident. Maoist cadres shut Bara, Parsa and Rautahat in protest of the incident. The Unified CPN (Maoist) has called the incident a well planned incident against the peace process. Issuing a press release Thursday, Maoist general secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa 'Badal' said, the use of modern weapons like SMG and the involvement of 30/35 persons establishes that the incident is a well-planned attack aimed at disrupting the peace process.

Health ministry has suspended director of Bir Hospital Dr Dirgha Raj RC from his position Tuesday evening for failing to resolve the current problem at the hospital. Registrar of National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) has resigned over the same case. Likewise, the health ministry has sought clarification from Vice Chancellor Dr CP Maskey and Rector Shree Krishna Giri of National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) within 24 hours on their inability to resolve the crisis. The hospital's services was largely affected for 12 days and is totally closed from today due to the strike by resident doctors of NAMS. Other doctors have also joined the residents' agitation from today. Health minister Uma Kant Chaudhary had reportedly asked the top officials of the hospital if they can't solve the problem. -- Regards Thakur