Terms for officers’ release

PALPA:

Maoists’ spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara in a press release issued on Tuesday, said that officiating Chief District Officer and Local Development Officer of Arghakhanchi, Birendra Sharma and Sudarshan Dhakal, would be released immediately if the government released Maoist cadres Lila Thapa, Sonam Chhetri, Tilak KC and made the whereabouts of other cadres, including Himal Sharma, public. The Human Rights Organisation of Nepal has called on the Maoists for immediate and unconditional release of the Chief district officer and local development officer. It has also urged the concerned parties to solve political differences through talks. — HNS

SC notices on quotas

KATHMANDU:

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued show cause notices to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Cabinet, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Nepal Law Reform Commission and National Planning Commission, demanding an explanation as to why the aforementioned are yet to promulgate a reservation law providing quotas for persons of backward communities. The order was issued Justice Arjun Prasad Singh responding to a Public Interest Litigation filed by the Lawyers Campaign Against Untouchability Nepal. —HNS

Maoists kill army man

DANG:

Maoists shot an army man and then slit his throat in Dang on Monday night. The RNA’s 19 number Brigade, Tulsipur, informed that Ram Prasad Chaudhary of Dhikpur VDC-1, Dang and currently posted at the Brigade was killed after being abducted from his house. Chaudhary, who entered the service a few months ago, was on a home leave. His body was recovered on Gorahi-Tulsipur road at Saurin of Narayanpur VDC on Tuesday morning. Bishwaraj Singh Shahi, the District Police Office chief said attempts were being made to contact the father of the deceased to learn more about the abduction. — HNS

Decision to close border

RAJBIRAJ:

A meeting of Nepali and Indian officials, held in Birpur, India, has decided to seal the Nepal-India border from February 13 to 15. The decision was taken to ensure security during the Bidhan Sabha elections in Bihar. However, ambulances will be allowed to ply. — HNS