Hospital closed

RUPANDEHI: Infuriated at the manhandling of its emergency ward head Dr Kashi Nath Banjade by security personnel, Lumbini Zonal Hospital on Monday stopped all services. The shut-down was a part of a day-long protest programme jointly organised by the Lumbini hospital staff union, Nepal Nursing Association-Rupandehi branch, Nepal health workers’ association-Rupandehi branch and the Nepal Paramedical association-Rupandehi branch. — HNS

Pachyderm kills two

LAHAN: Two persons were trampled to death by a wild elephant at Golbazaar of Siraha district on Monday. The elephant also damaged the houses of Khumari Mandal at Asanpur-5, and Sona Lal Yadav and Bouka Mahara at Asanpur-8. The deceased have been identified as 50-year-old Resma Saday of Jamdaha VDC-1, Nipniya and 70-year-old Phool Kumari Mahato of Lalpur. — HNS

NC(D) men freed

SYANGYA: Five pro-democracy NC(D) protesters, who were detained by the Royal Nepalese Army on April 13 on charges of being Maoists, were released on Monday at the order of the Pokhara appellate court. Those freed were Pawan Nepal, Ishwor Regmi, Arjun Rana, Ram Kaji Rana and Madhav Poudel. — HNS

Students injured

BIRATNAGAR: Five students were injured when police baton-charged students returning home after a torch rally on Monday evening. The injured have been taken to the Koshi zonal hospital. — HNS