Two RNA men hurt

DHANGADHI: A patrolling team of the RNA’s Boradandi Barrack clashed with the Maoists for two hours at Chatakpur of Dhangadhi in western Nepal on Wednesday night. Two Royal Nepalese Army soldiers sustained minor injuries, a security source claimed, adding that the Maoists suffered a heavy loss. Telephone service and electricity supply have been disrupted following the clash. — HNS

Killing condemned

KATHMANDU: The Human Rights Organisation of Nepal (HURON) has condemned the killing of three protesters during a demonstration at Kalanki, Kathmandu, on Thursday. Prof Kapil Shrestha, advisor to HURON, in a press statement also denounced denial of curfew passes to mediapersons, human rights activists and health workers. — HNS

Peace rally in Humla

KATHMANDU: A peace rally was organised in Humla district headquarters on Thursday. About 300-400 persons went around the town, demanding peace and reconciliation. The rally was led by chairman of the Humla DDC, Kali Bahadur Shahi. The rally converged into a mass meeting upon reaching Kalichok. —RSS

Stress on talks

SUNSARI: Dialogue is the only way to end the current state of murder, violence, strikes and anarchy, said an intellectual of Sunsari. Vice Chancellor of the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences Prof Dr Lok Bikram Thapa emphasised on the need for an immediate dialogue between the constitutional forces. —RSS

Condoms distributed

DAMAULI: The District Health Office, Tanahu, in the eight months of the current fiscal year 2005/06 distributed 131,590 condoms. The condoms were distributed from Damauli and Bandipur Hospital, Primary Health Centre, Bhimad, 13 health posts and 31 sub-health posts. The office had in the previous fiscal year distributed 180,854 condoms from different health centres. —RSS

Indra Rai honoured

KATHMANDU: The Basundhara-Man Academy, Kathmandu, has decided to present this year’s Basundharashree prize to litterateur Indra Bahadur Rai. The Academy also decided to present the Manshree prize for 2006 to litterateur Bishnubibhu Ghimire for contribution to the development of modern Nepali poem and maintaining a distinct identity among the contemporary poets. —RSS