KATHMANDU, April 26

An all party meeting held at the Ministry of Home Affairs today decided to work together and mobilise political workers of all the parties for rescue and relief of earth quake victims.

Stating that lack of safe drinking water and hygienic food could invite another disaster, the leaders concluded that the government should focus on shelter for quake victims, including safe drinking water and food supply and effective rescue and treatment of the injured.

The meeting attended by top leaders of almost all parties including Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala, CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli, Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Democratic) Chairman Bijay Kumar Gachhadar decided to work together to address the problems caused by quake according to UML Chairman Oli.

The UML has already instructed its cadres to join hands with the government authorities and other non government agencies to make rescue and relief work more effective, according to Oli.

All the leaders urged the government to effectively mobilise all the resources and seek more resources if the government lacks any, said NC Vice President Ramchandra Paudel.

“We have decided to work together to fight against problems caused by the disaster. Since, the victims are not feeling the presence of the government, we suggested that the government make its rescue and relief programmes effective,” said UCPN-M Chairman Dahal.

All the parties expressed their commitment to cooperate with the government in addressing the problems caused by the disaster, said RPP-N Chairman Thapa.

PM cuts short foreign trip

KATHMANDU: Prime minister Sushil Koirala today returned from Indonesia cutting short his nine day visit after earthquake struck the country.

Koirala, who participated in Bandung conference, was scheduled to return on April 28 after concluding his other scheduled programmes.

He returned Kathmandu at 11:45 today.   — HNS

NC emergency CWC meeting

KATHMANDU: An emergency meeting of Nepali Congress Central Working Committee held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Sushil Koirala appealed to party’s workers, sister wings and general people to effectively carry out rescue and relief works.

The meeting expressed deep grief at the loss of life and damage of properties due to the disaster, said the NC in a statement issued after the CWC meeting. Stating that the country was facing national crisis, the CWC meeting called on the UN, neighbouring countries and international community to support the country.

The CWC also drew the government’s attention to the need to prevent any kind of epidemic, loot, theft, black marketing due to the situation created by the disaster. The Congress called on people to maintain patience in this state of crisis. — HNS