Maoists kidnap principal

DHANKUTA: The Maoists abducted principal of the Shree Siddha Devi Lower Secondary School, Saptingtar, Arjun Bhandari, on Monday. When contacted, chief district officer Shambhu Ghimire and officials at the District Education Office said they had no knowledge about the abduction. Local Maoist cadres, however, said that Bhandari was under surveillance. — HNS

Gang kills army man

DAMAK: An unidentified gang of about five persons on Wednesday gunned down a Royal Nepal Army personnel at Bhadrapur Bus Park. The gang shot at RNA constable Tilak Dewkota of Jabarjang barrack. He died on the spot, said the security forces. After killing Dewkota, the gang members fled to southern direction, eyewitnesses said. Police have suspected them to be Maoists. — HNS

Call to stop bandh

POKHARA: The Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry has, in a statement, appealed to all concerned to stop calling for strikes which have a very negative impact on the economy. The statement also urges all sides to stop holding such programmes at a time when the production, sale and distribution mechanism of daily consumable goods has been dismantled due to adverse state of law and order as a result of the ongoing conflict in the country. — RSS

Religious body reshuffled

SUNSARI: The Nepal Religious Association, Dharan, founded with a view to removing anomalies and aberrations prevailing in the society through religious and spiritual paths, has reshuffled its working committee. The newly appointed chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and treasurer of the association are Ramesh Rai, Mani Kala Rai, Khem Raj Rai and Dev Prasad Rai respectively. — RSS

Expo on visually-impaired

POKHARA: An exhibition shedding light on the day-to-day activities and vocational skills of the visually-impaired began at the Lekhnath Municipality on Tuesday. The exhibition organised with the objective of bringing out the inner capacity of the visually- impaired is hosted the Nepal Blind Welfare Association. —RSS