Lunatic injures cop

KATHMANDU: A mentally challenged man on Friday attacked a Head Constable of Nepal Police on the premises of the Pashupatinath temple using a Khukuri. The attacker has been identified as Bhimsen Sapkota of Balkot in Bhaktapur. Sumit Khadka, in-charge of Metropolitan Police Sector, Gaushala, said Head Constable Krishna Budhathoki was injured while trying to restrain the attacker. Budathoki is said to be out of danger. The police, meantime, released Sapkota after his kin approached them saying that he would be taken to mental hospital for treatment.

Judges' appointment

KATHMANDU: The Judicial Council (JC) headed by Chief Justice Anup Raj Sharma on Friday failed to appoint judges in the vacant posts of the Supreme Court and Appellate Courts. According to a source at the JC, the judges could not be appointed as the rift between the members of the appointing authority deepened over the proposed names. "Discussions are on the proposal to pick up the names of the judges," the source added. There are two vacant ad hoc posts for judges lying vacant at the apex court and four for the chief judges in the appellate courts. The JC also could not take any decision against complaints that are pending against judges.

Injured minor, dead

KATHMANDU: Three-year-old Purnima Bada, who was run down by a Tata Mobile in Duwakot of Bhaktapur on Thursday, died while undergoing treatment in Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal, Police said on Friday. The police have impounded the vehicle and its driver for investigation into the incident.

IG extols APF

KATHMANDU: Inspector General of Armed Police Force Sanat Kumar Basnet on Thursday carried out a surprise check in APF's Nilbarahi Battalion to ascertain whether the security measures were in order. He instructed the security officials to maintain law and order in the society as mandated by APF. IG Basnet rewarded the Battalion with Rs 5,000 cash as a token of gratitude for their hard work.

Load-shedding up

KATHMANDU: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the state-owned monopoly in hydropower sector in the country, has increased the weekly load-shedding from the current 77 hours to 84 hours with effect from Friday, citing depleting water level in major hydel projects. As per the new schedule issued by NEA, the Valley denizens will cope with daily 12 hours of power-cut in two intervals. The government has already announced that the power-cut will not exceed 12 hours a day in dry season.