4 ANNISU-R men hurt

RAMECHHAP: Four students affiliated to the ANNISU-R were hurt in a scuffle with students affiliated to the ANNFSU, NSU and NSU-D at the Mahendrodaya Multiple Campus in Ramechhap on Friday. The scuffle ensued when ANNISU-R cadres erased the name of the campus from the signboard. The four students were injured when students affiliated to the three student bodies pelted stones at them, said Maoist district in-charge, Kripasur. — HNS

Plea quashed

Kathmandu: The Supreme Court on Friday quashed a writ petition filed by Judge at the Appellate Court Patan, Atma Ram Bhattarai, challenging the legality of information given him by the Judicial Council Secretariat that he was to retire on December 16 due to age. The order issued by a bench of justice Rajendra Prasad Koirala stated that the writ has been quashed as there is no locus standi in the petitioner, judge Bhattarai’s, claim and demand. — RSS

Discussion on polls

KATHMANDU: Experts, who have monitored elections in different countries, held discussions with Election Commission (EC) officials on Friday, the EC spokesperson, Laxman Prasad Bhattarai, said. — HNS

Maoists’ meeting

BHAKTAPUR: The Central Committee meeting of the Maoists was held at Bhaktapur Guest House in Bhaktapur on Friday. Various issues such as finalising the interim constitution, country’s contemporary political issues and internal reporting mechanism of the party were discussed. Maoist leaders Mohan Viadhya, Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai, KB Mahara, Ram Bahadur Thapa, Dev Gurung and others were present in the meeting. — RSS

Houses gutted

DHADING: Four houses at Sinranbazzar of Dhadingbesi were gutted in a fire on Friday evening. The fire broke out from a shop in the house of a local Dil Bahadur Gurung at 6 pm. Gurung’s house was totally gutted in the fire. In the fire, houses of Sitaram Bhandari, Deepak Lamsal and Ranjendra Adhikari were also damaged, said locals. — HNS

Moriarty in Janakpur

JANAKPURDHAM: American Ambassador to Nepal James F Moriarty has said on Friday it is essential to understand all the aspects, as serious and vital works are underway in Nepal now. Speaking at a discussion organised for the displaced people of Ramechhap, Dhanusha and Siraha districts, who are undergoing training at the Janakpurdham Branch of Support Nepal, Ambassador Moriarty said peace process takes a long time and many challenges and obstructions may come ahead. He said USA supports creation of reconciliatory environment for peace in Nepal. — RSS

One dies of cold

SAPTARI: Dilip Kumar Mandal, 30, of Biharpur-3 in Saptari district, died on Thursday due to extreme cold. He died while undergoing treatment in the Rajbiraj-based Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital, hospital sources said. — HNS

Tapiola meets PM

KATHMANDU: Director of International Labour Organisation, Geneva, Tapiola called on PM Girija Prasad Koirala on Friday. Tapiola arrived here to take information about state of trade unions, human rights, and social security in Nepal after the peace talks began. — RSS

FNJ expels nine

Rautahat: The Federation of Nepalese Journalists Rautahat chapter on Friday expelled nine journalists alleging that they have been working against press freedom and supporting royal government. — HNS