ONCE-OVER

Dowry-free zone

Pokhara: Women of the Dhunge Patan have declared the area a dowry free zone. This was announced at a programme organised on Thursday to celebrate the New Year-2062 at Dhunge Patan of Lekhnath municipality-12. Earlier, women here had formed a Dowry Protest Committee at the initiation of different NGOs in Lekhnath. — HNS

Four Maoists killed

POKHARA: At least four Maoists were killed in the security operation at Baundi Kathepipal of Suwarnkahl VDC of Argakhanchi on Wednesday. Those killed were identified as Anil Tamang, Bishnu Ghimire, Aashiwan Kumar Gurung and Jiwan Bishwakarma, the RNA West-division headquarters, Pokhara, said. The forces also seized six socket bombs, one local pistol, 15 bullets and donation receipt pads. — HNS

Two killed in accident

TANAHUN: Two persons died on the spot when a bus collided with a motorbike at Gorechautaro of Bandipur VDC-8 along the Prithivi Highway on Thursday . The bike riders Prithibi Bahadur Gurung and Man Bahadur Gurung of Dharampani VDC-6 were killed when the bus (Ga 1 Kha 2127) collided with their motorbike, police said. Meanwhile, Nirmala Shrestha of Jamune-5 was badly injured when a motorbike hit her at Buddha Chwok in Damauli. — HNS

Timber smugglers held

BUTWAL: Lakshminagar Community Forest Users Group has arrested three individuals found involved in smuggling of timber. The committee handed over Shyam Karki, Om Bahadur Thapa and Lakshman Karki of Butwal municipality-6 to the police. — RSS

Wildlife week begins

BHARATPUR: The 10th Wildlife Week is being celebrated in the Royal Chitwan National Park. A public awareness programme was organised on Thursday and 15 gadhiyaal crocodiles will be released into the Rapti river on Friday. — RSS