6 hurt in Dharan blast

DHARAN: Six, including five children were injured in a pressure cooker bomb explosion on Wednesday set off by the Maoists at Dharan-14 Ganesh Chowk, to disrupt the municipal election. Those injured are 8-year-old Nirkaji Giri, 15-year-old Deepa Bhujel, 14-year-old Manisha Bhujel, 15-year-old Dipika Bhujel, 17-year-old Sandip Bhujel and 34-year-old Sharada Nepal. They are being treated at the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences here. Dipika is critical, Institute sources said. — HNS

Boy loses life

BAGLUNG: A boy, who sustained serious injuries after falling down a steep mountain slope, died on Wednesday because he could not be taken to the hospital due to the Nepal bandh. Twelve-year Om Bahadur KC of Dudilabhati VDC-9, Baglung, died on the way to Pokhara where he was being taken for treatment as even ambulances could not ply on the Pokhara-Baglung highway because of obstructions placed by Maoists at Ambote on Tuesday. — RSS

Blasts by Maoists

BUTWAL: Maoists set off a bomb ot Tinau Bridge on the Mahendra Highway, west of Butwal Municipality on Wednesday, causing damage to the bridge. The blast left a big hole in the bridge and caused minor damage to its struts, according to the police. — RSS

Envoy arrives

KATHMANDU: Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Zambia, Sipakeli Keli Walubita, to Nepal arrived here on Wednesday to present his credentials to King Gyanendra. The envoy was received at the Tribhuvan International Airport by the King’s ADC and the Protocol Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to the Ministry. — RSS

INSEC call to Maoists

KATHMANDU: The Informal Sector Services Centre (INSEC) on wednesday voiced concern over the abduction of 15 persons, including Assistant Regional Administrator Prem Sapkota by Maoists from Dhankuta on Tuesday night. Stating that abduction of unarmed non-combatant government staff by the Maoists contravened national and international humanitarian laws, INSEC called for the immediate release of abducted persons. Human Rights Organization, Nepal, stated that the abduction was against humanitarian laws. — RSS

Curfew imposed

DHANGADHI: Keeping in view security situation at the Dhangadhi municipality during the mayoral elections on Wednesday, the Kailali District Administration Office (DAO) said it imposed curfew in Geta, Beladevi, Phulbari and Shree Pur Village Development Committees, which are situated near the municipality, from 4 am to 7 pm on Wednesday. — HNS

Dalit thrashed

DHADING: A hotel-owner at Malekhu Bazaar of Dhading, Ranjana Dharel, beat up Krishna Bahadur Mangrati, a 52-year-old Dalit customer, on Monday for not washing the glass he drank tea in, the Gajuri branch of the Dalit Service Association said. Chairman of the association, Gopal BK, said a plaint has been lodged against Dharel at the Gajuri Area Police Office, demanding that action be taken against her. Saying she had thrown Mangrati out as he had ‘polluted’ her hotel, Dharel said she didn’t care what the law said. — HNS

Border sealed for polls

JALESHWOR: Nepal-India boarder adjacent to the Jaleshwor municipality has been closed since Tuesday in order to conduct the municipal polls in a fair and free environment. The move has been taken to control illegal voting and criminal activities during the elections. The border will reportedly be opened from Friday. — RSS

Birthday panel

HUMLA: A 101-Member Main Function Committee has been formed under the coordination of DDC chairman, Kali Bahadur Shahi, to mark the 56th auspicious birthday of Queen Komal in a grand manner. Representatives of the DDC, chiefs of security bodies, former DDC chairmen, chiefs of offices, chiefs of NGOs, journalists, social workers, businessmen are among the panel members. — RSS