Workers stranded

DHANGADI: A large number of Nepali workers who had returned home from various Indian cities to observe the New Year 2063 have been stranded here as a result of the general strike. They have been compelled to live in expensive lodges here. Meanwhile, many workers have been forced to return to India after being unable to reach their destinations. “It is not possible to walk home, so better I return to Mumbai,” said Tek Bam of Chabadachautara VDC, Doti. A group of the stranded workers have requested the CDO of Kailali to make arrangement for them to reach home. — RSS

Free-abductee plea

DANG: Office secretary of the CPN-UML Rapti Zonal Coordination Committee, Bal Dev Sharma, issuing a statement on Saturday, urged the Maoists to release Asha Ram Gurung, alternative member of the CPN-UML, Rolpa. According to the release, the Maoists had abducted Gurung a few days ago. — HNS

Chariot procession

Charikot: The chariot procession of Rato (red) Machchhindranath started in Dolakha on Saturday. It is the tradition to pull the chariot of Aryalokeshwor or Lokeshwor along various thoroughfares of the city for a week. Dolakha was a separate state in ancient times and was called Abhayapur. It is said King Bashudev Malla started the tradition of the chariot procession. The bathing of the golden statue of Karuna in milk on the day of Chaite Poornima marks the beginning of the jatra. It is called ‘hapa’ in local language. According to the inscription, it is estimated that the jatra started from Nepal Sambat 701. The four-storeyed chariot is made up of three metals - iron, silver and gold. According to senior citizens, the main objective of pulling the chariot is to provide an opportunity to the disabled and sick devotees to worship Machchhindranath while remaining in their houses. —HNS

Forest on fire

Phidim: A fire broke out at Singha Devi Community Forest near the Thakle temple of Phidim-5, Paanchthar on Thursday, gutting around 200 hectares of the forest and causing many species of wild animals to perish. Locals said one Tsering Sherpa of Phidim Bazaar was responsible for the arson. Chairman of the forest users’ group, Chandra Khanal, said Sherpa was involved in theft and robbery in the past. Although the fire broke out just five kilometres away from the district headquarters, DSP Ajay Bhattarai said he was unaware of the incident. —HNS

Maoist retaliation

Kapilvastu: Seven agitators were hurt when members of the Maoist retaliation group beat them up at Labani while they were returning home after taking part in a movement in Patariya of the district, said the agitating parties on Saturday. District secretary of the Women’s Union Sumitra Sharma, member of the UML district committee Sahasram Yadav, secretary of Phulika VDC Narayan Yadav, contractor Krishna Bhattarai, jeep driver Sagun Yadav, civilian Tulsi Lamichhane and Babalu Hamal were injured. A gang of 15 including Triyugi Pande, Nasim, Sajudhan Choudhary and others beat them up at weapon-point, victims said. — HNS

Democratic bulletin

SINDHUPALCHOWK: In a show of solidarity with the ongoing movement, Sindhupalchowk-based journalists published a “democratic bulletin” on Saturday evening. Postponing their regular publications, Shree Abhilekh and Sindhu Sandesh weeklies, they brought out “democratic” bulletin. The eight-page bulletin contains news and programmes for the democratic movement. Meanwhile, pro-democracy activists held protest programmes in different parts of the district. Farmers of Melamchi staged a rally on Saturday, said a local Bal Chandra Sapkota. — HNS

One found dead

MAHENDRANAGAR: A peon of Gaddachowki customs office Kanchanpur, Ram Datta Bhatta, 55, was found dead near the office premises on Saturday morning. Bhatta, who was on duty since 1 pm on Friday, had bruises on his face. Together with Bhatta, clerk Tek Bahadur Dhobi and peon Bhagat Singh Chettri were on duty at the office on Friday. Dhobi said while he and Chettri returned to their rooms at around 8 pm, Bhatta stayed back. His body has been taken to the Mahakali Zonal Hospital for post-mortem. DSP Dilip Kumar Chaudhari said Bhatta may have been murdered. Police have arrested a mentally-retarded person from the spot and recovered Bhatta’s identity card from him. — HNS

DDC chief quits

CHITWAN: Chairman of the Chitwan DDC, Tej Prasad Bartaula, resigned from his post on Thursday. He tendered his resignation to the Local Development Ministry via fax. Sources said his wife and other family members had been urging him to resign as a mark of solidarity with the seven-party movement. The DDC vice-chairman has already resigned from his post. — HNS

RPP (Thapa) for talks

KATHMANDU: Home minister Kamal Thapa-led Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has urged the seven-party alliance to respond to the King’s call for dialogue to end the present crises. In a meeting held at Thapa’s residence on Saturday, the party reiterated that dialogue is the only way to bring an end to the impasse, party vice-chairman Padma Sunder Lawati informed. — HNS