NSP leader dies

KATHMANDU: Bhogendra Thakur, vice-president of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP), passed away on Thursday afternoon. He was 68. Thakur, who hailed from Silaura VDC of Siraha, had made valuable contribution to democratic movement and rights of the Madhesi community, said a statement issued by NSP. He will be cremated at Pashupati Aryaghat on Friday. — HNS

Journalist awarded

KATHMANDU: The Madheshi Women Society on Thursday awarded woman journalist Manchala Jha with the first Uma Singh Journalism Award. The award carries a purse of Rs 1,001 along with a letter of appreciation. —HNS

700 donate blood

KATHMANDU: Shree Kumari Club of Balkhu-Tekusi on Thursday organised a blood donation programme on the occasion of the Martyrs’ Day. At the programme, ninety persons, including 27 women, donated blood. Meanwhile, 573 people donated blood at the programme organised by British Gurkha Group to mark the same occasion. Seventy persons donated blood at a programme organised by the Nepal Tarun Dal at Matatirtha. — HNS

Forest officials hurt

JHAPA: Six persons were critically injured in a jeep accident in Jhapa on Thursday. The jeep carrying six forest officers met with the accident near Birtamod. The injured included general manager of the Department of Forest Krishna Chandra Sharma, director of eastern regional forest office Ram Poudel, officer at Jhapa district forest office Hem Aryal, chief of Jhapa Land Conservation Office Krishna Prasad Ghimire, and Arun Poudel of Morang forest office. They are being treated in Dharan. — HNS

Dainiya still tense

BIRATNAGAR: Following seizure of fertilizer illegally imported from India on Wednesday, situation in Dainiya of Morang remained tense on Thursday after the locals closed Dainiya and Rangeli bazaars and disrupted Dainiya-Rangeli road. The agitators have been demanding that the police return the seized fertilizer and action be taken against the policeman who opened fire at protesting businessmen on Wednesday and treat the injured among others. An all-party meeting to resolve the issue reached no conclusion till late on Thursday evening. — HNS