Maoists torch bus

TANAHUN:

The Maoists torched a minibus near the Tharpu Bazaar in Tanahun on Friday. District-based security sources confirmed the incident but said details of the incident were not available. — HNS

RPP faction meet shelved

KATHMANDU:

The breakaway faction of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) led by Surya Bahadur Thapa has postponed the “greater national political convention.” The convention was scheduled for March 3, 4 and 5. According to former minister Sarbendra Nath Shukla, the decision was made considering the recent political developments in the country. A statement released by the main organising committee said on Friday that they had not yet received permission fro the government to organise the convention, which is mandatory during an emergency. — HNS

Call to lift blockade

KATHMANDU:

Labelling the Maoist-imposed blockade “a crime against humanity,” the Human Rights and Peace Society has urged the Maoists to lift it immediately. — HNS

Salak found

DHANKUTA:

Salak, a rare wild animal, has been found in the Nangkholyang VDC, the district forest office said. According to Wakil Kumar Mandal, a ranger of the office, the animal, a member of the Pangolin species, is 70 metre long and weighes 1,300 grams. — HNS

School set on fire

DAMAK:

A group reportedly torched the Shree Bani Secondary School in Lakhanpur VDC-3. Dilip Sangraula, the headmaster of the school, said instruments of science laboratory, seven cabinets, desks, benches and other documents were gutted. — RSS

Literacy rate up in Morang

BIRATNAGAR:

The literacy rate in the district of Morang has shot up to 56.7 per cent since the government launched literacy campaign here under the education for all programme. The literacy rate among men has reached 66.8 per cent, while that of women has reached 46.8 per cent.— RSS

Temple conservation

ILAM:

The Guthi Sansthan and the Land Revenue Office have provided a grant worth Rs 150,000 for the conservation of Singhabahini temple. Lila Bahadur Dahal, chairman, Temple Conservation Committee, said the grant will be used for managing sewerage and building embankment for flood control. — RSS