Cargo trucks seized

BIRGUNJ: The Revenue Investigation Office, Pathlaiya, on Monday seized two cargo trucks containing goods worth Rs 1.5 million which were smuggled into the country by evading customs duties. The trucks contained textiles, steel utensils and gas heaters. Revenue investigation officer Ram Prasad Regmi said the seized trucks and goods are kept under control for further investigation. — HNS

SPA unit’s threat

NEPALGUNJ: The Banke unit of the seven-party alliance (SPA) has warned it will launch an agitation against the central leadership if police and local government offices are not restructured. Unit leaders at a programme on Monday expressed dissatisfaction over the functioning of the police and government offices. Leaders of Banke SPA said they will launch sit-ins and demonstrations if their concern is not addressed. People are annoyed with the Maoists’ local government as well, UML secretary Dev Raj Bhar said. — HNS

Licence in a day

KATHMANDU: In its drive to provide quick and effective service to the people, the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management on Monday said that the government has made a provision to issue licence on the same day after a person passes his trial examination. A release issued here on Monday by the MoLTM states that the new provision would be enforced from October 18, in all 12 zonal offices of the Department of Transport Management. — HNS

NC (D) meeting held

KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (Democratic) leadership on Monday held an informal meeting at the party office to discuss and review the ongoing peace process. The meeting also analysed the position taken by the party along with CPN-UML and the Maoists. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Deuba denied his party has entered into any deal with the CPN-UML and the Maoists. — HNS

Mukherjee in India

NEW DELHI: Indian ambassador to Nepal, Shiv Shanker Mukherjee arrived here on Friday for regular meeting. According to a source, he will return to Kathmandu only next week. He met joint secretary in charge of Nepal-Bhutan affairs in ministry of external affairs, Pankaj Sharan, on Monday. Sharan later in the afternoon met charge d’affaires in Embassy of Nepal in Delhi Tara Pokhrel. Pokhrel said the meeting between them was a regular one and no specific issue was discussed. — HNS

Joint expedition

LHASA: A team of 19 scientists from China, India, Nepal and Bhutan have embarked on a month-long expedition to the Himalayas, which extends through all four countries. The researchers will compare the geography, physiognomy, geology, ecosystem and economic development of the Himalayas, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences that has organised the expedition. One of the team’s major tasks is to determine how the resources of the Himalayan region can be used, said Zhang Wenjing, chief scientist of the team. — Xinhua

Workers’ protest

BARA: Workers of Surya Nepal Private Limited in Simra, demanding increment in salary and other facilities, joined their duty with black bands on their arms on Monday. They will work with black armbands till October 30, said vice-chairperson of the trade union of Surya Nepal Private Limited in Simra, Benu Timilsina. — HNS

Traffic disrupted

LAHAN: Rickshaw-pullers disrupted traffic in Lahan for three hours on Monday after a person claiming to be a Maoist cadre beat up a rickshaw-puller during a dispute over the fare on Sunday night. The same person also beat up a hotelier who spoke up on behalf of the rickshaw-puller. Angry rickshaw-pullers blocked traffic by parking their rickshaws on the road and demanded that the guilty offer an apology. — HNS

Maoists’ threat

Kathmandu: Maoists have threatened to kill Secretary of Nepali Congress, Dang District Working Committee Prem Raj Joshi. The Nepali Congress has strongly condemned such inhumane and undemocratic act on the part of the Maoists at a time when peace talks are going on, a press release issued here on Monday by the party said. — RSS

Highway blocked

SINDHUPALCHOWK: Demanding an end to all collection from vehicles on the highway, transport workers on Monday halted traffic on the Araniko Highway. “The Nepal Transport Free Workers’ Union, Araniko Route Truck Unit Committee called a strike on the highway to protest against the forced donation collection,” said Arjun Sapkota, chairman of the panel. — HNS