Maoist victims stage sit-in

KATHMANDU: Some 100 people associated with the Nepal Maoist Victims’ Association and Maoist Victims’ National Struggle Committee on Wednesday staged a sit-in in front of the southern gate of Singha Durbar to pressurise the government to meet their 15-point demand. Bhoj Raj Timilsina, coordinator of the committee, said, “At least 32 people were arrested by police and released later. Thirteen persons were injured when the security personnel used force to disperse the protestors. — HNS

Financial aid for NRCS

KATHMANDU: Colonel RJJ Ellis from British Gurkhas, Nepal handed over around Rs 1.5 million to Sanjeev Thapa, chairman, Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS), on Monday to assist the NRCS in its relief operation in Koshi flood-hit areas. A press release issued by the NRCS on Wednesday said the funds were raised from the members of the Brigade of Gurkha /British Nepal. —HNS

Home Minister hospitalised

KATHMANDU: Following a sudden fever and headache, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bamdev Gautam was hospitalised on Wednesday afternoon in Neuro Hospital at Bansbari. According to his personal secretary Som Rana, Gautam was admitted to the hospital at around 3 pm. He said Gautam was normal and would be discharged on Thursday. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai is likely to be discharged from TU Teaching Hospital on Thursday. Dr Bhattarai had had an operation for gall bladder stone on Tuesday. — HNS

TU reopens

KATHMANDU: Tribhuvan University (TU) reopened on Wednesday, following a closure of over 20 days. TU administration had announced indefinite closure, demanding security from the agitating TU Victims’ Struggle Committee. Dr Madhav Prasad Sharma, vice-chancellor, TU, said the regular classes of TU would start once the winter vacation is over on January 28. — HNS