ONCE-OVER

Indian scribes protest

Biratnagar: Expressing their solidarity with the Nepali journalists, Indian journalists staged a sit-in on the Jogbani border area on Sunday. They also urged the government to meet the demands of journalists who were injured in the course of collecting news and photos of the ongoing democratic movement. —HNS

NPI award for journos

BIRATNAGAR: The Nepal Press Institute regional communications source centre Biratnagar on Sunday decided to award a purse of Rs 5,000 each to three journalists who best cover the pro-democracy stir. Employees of the centre also donated a day’s salary for the treatment of hurt journalists. — HNS

Maoists beat up two

Dhankuta: Maoists beat up two workers of CPN-UML at Bodhe VDC-1 (Dhankuta) on Saturday. The rebels beat up Khadga Giri and Chandra Limbu, accusing them of irregularities. Giri, who is also UML Village Committee member, was beaten up for allegedly embezzling Rs 5000 of the Mahendra Community Forest Group and Bodhe Hamela Road Consumers’ Committee. Limbu was beaten up for abetting Giri. —HNS

Nepali Congress’ plea

Kathmandu: The Nepali Congress (NC) on Sunday appealed to the international community to back efforts aimed at ending autocratic monarchy and establishing total democracy. The incumbent royal regime is unconcerned with the people’s aspirations, a statement issued on Sunday by NC General Secretary K B Gurung said. “We welcome the latest reaction of Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran that backs the agenda of restoration of total democracy and ending of regressive monarchy,” Gurung said. —HNS

Free detainees: NHRC

Kathmandu: The National Human rights Commission on Sunday recommended to the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers that all those held for taking part in the ongoing movement be freed. The NHRC came down heavily on security forces for using excessive force by opening fire at demonstrators and resorting to indiscriminate baton charging. The NHRC expressed deep concern over the authorities’ failure to develop a mechanism to allow ambulances to move around. — HNS