NC-D chief whip

KATHMANDU: Tek Bahadur Chokhyal was appointed the chief whip of Nepali Congress (Democratic) in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. This was announced in a press released signed by NC (D) President and Parliamentary Party leader, Sher Bahadur Deuba. — HNS

Call to sign peace pact

KATHMANDU: Leaders of the seven-party alliance on Wednesday said the government and Maoists must sign a peace treaty so that the dialogue to be held between the two sides does not break over minor differences. Vice-president of Janamorcha Nepal and MP Pari Thapa said both sides should sign the treaty and sign a code of conduct before the talks. — HNS

Van reaches Darchula

Kathmandu: A vehicle has reached Khalanga, the headquarters of Darchula district for the first time, taking the number of district headquarters in the country with access to road transportation to 61, the Ministry of Physical Planning said. — RSS

NHRC’s truce draft

Kathmandu: The National Human Rights Commission on Wednesday released drafts of understanding, expected to be obeyed by the government and the Maoists during the ceasefire. The draft of Ceasefire Understanding Agreement includes the definition of ceasefire, status of deployment of army, police and Maoist army, freedom of movement, measures for normalisation of the situation, mechanism of agreement follow-up, and initiation and amendment of the agreement. The draft of Agreement of Respecting Human Rights and Humane Laws has four chapters. A member of the NHRC, Sudip Pathak, said the commission has already sent the draft to Home Ministry and is looking for a way to hand over a copy to the Maoists. — HNS

Rabies claims one

SURKHET: Lal Bahadur BK, a resident of Lati Koili VDC-1, died of rabies on Tuesday. A dog had bitten him one month ago. Owing to poverty and lack of awareness, he failed to get proper treatment. — HNS

Inter-caste dispute

Rajbiraj: A meeting of acting CDO Bal Dev Prasad Bhatta, SP Raj Bahadur Bista, representatives of seven political parties, journalists and rights activists on Wednesday decided to settle a dispute between members of the so-called upper caste and Dalits on Saturday. The upper-caste people of Rajbiraj municipality-7, on Monday, had asked a Dalit to abandon his house, saying they did not want a Dalit living in their locality. A fight ensued after Dalits accused upper-caste people of torching the house of the Dalit man on Monday.

At least 18 people were injured in the fight. — HNS