Five hurt in bus mishap

DANG: Five persons were seriously injured when a passenger bus with pilgrims on board met with an accident near Rihar of Dang at around 5:00 pm on Sunday. Many others are reported to have sustained minor injuries when the bus headed for Ghorahi from Rihar of Dang Deukhuri met with the accident. SP at the district police office, Bishwo Raj Shahi, said two ambulances were engaged in rescue till 9:00 pm. — HNS

HR condition satisfactory

SYANGJA: Human rights condition in Syangja remained satisfactory this year in comparison with other districts affected by the insurgency. Participants of an interaction held after the visit of representatives of National Human Rights Commission attributed it to high surveillance by security forces, sensitivity and transparency towards improvements in human rights in the

district. Syangja district judge, Chitradev Joshi, said that cases of rights violations, both by the government and Maoists, have scaled down. — RSS

Govt officials skip meet

BUTWAL: National Human Rights Commission, which held an interaction on human rights violations in Rupandehi district, is disenchanted as no government official of the district turned up to speak about their activities despite the invitation. Prem Thapa, head of the NHRC team, complained that no high-level official, including the CDO, the district army chief and senior superintendent of police, attended its programme. However, a number victims of the insurgency and security operations, representatives from rights watch groups and media participated. — RSS

Maoists release three

LAMJUNG: Tirtha Bahadur Adhikary, a government employee was released by the Maoists on Saturday in the presence of representatives of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, rights groups and his wife. Adhikary, a second class staffer of Lamjung district administration office was kidnapped on Poush 8. Likewise, a businessman of Dumre of Tanahu district, Ram Prasad Shresthaand ASI Ramchandra Pandey, kidnapped have also been freed. — RSS

Kavya Yatra 2061 ends

NUWAKOT: The Nuwakot Kavya Yatra 2061 BS concluded at the premises of Bhairabi temple on Saturday. The yatra was organised under the joint auspices of Arambha Kathmandu and Srijanshil Hatharu. The programme — sponsored by Royal Nepal Academy and arranged by Nuwakot Youth Club — was organised to mark the 283rd birth anniversary of late king Prithvi Narayan Shah. Inaugurating the programme senior litterateur, Tulasi Diwas,

said we should protect our languages and culture. — RSS

Maoist actions flayed

TAPLEJUNG: Traders in the mobile bazaar at the area bordering Taplejung and Panchthar districts have denounced Maoists excesses and come out in opposition. According to local residents, the Maoists have been extorting donations from local traders. The Maoists abducted two traders on Friday and they have also been imposing donations of Rs 1,000 to Rs 30,000 daily from passenger and cargo vehicles operating here, it is stated. — RSS

School shutdown

SARLAHI: Saraswati High School at Harjariya has been shut down after Maoists have dug out three bunkers within its premises. They have also set up a board with a danger sign on it. Road leading to Hajariya has also been out of operation after the Maoists dug out large holes in it. Local people have been terrorised with these activities and dare not go to its periphery. — RSS