Garaghat crossfire ends

Nepalgunj: The crossfire between the security forces and Maoists in Garaghat of Rukum district ended on Monday. The forces had gone there from Musikot to free over six dozen people including teachers, students and their guardians who were abducted by the Maoists last Wednesday. The security team returned to Musikot on Mondaymorning. They retaliated to the Maoist firing as they could not find the students. It is learnt that the security team did not go beyond Garaghat as the Maoists had started firing. — HNS

3 students hurt in blast

Surkhet: Three students of Adarsha Secondary School, Mehali Garpan, about 20 km northeast of Surkhet were injured when a bomb they were playing with exploded within the school premises. The injured have been identified as Devraj Sapkota (11) of class III, Shyam BK (10) and Prakash Bohora of class I. They were brought to Surkhet District Hospital on Monday evening. Bohora is stated to be in critical condition. — HNS

Advocate arrested

KATHMANDU: Security personnel arrested advocate Pushpa Raj Pandey on the suspincion of being a supporter of Maoists, a report from Sindhuli said. President of the Nepal Bar Association, Shambhu Thapa, has condemned the arrest. — HNS

Property gutted

BIRATNAGAR: Property worth Rs 400,000 was gutted in a fire that spread across a grocery market at Gudri bazaar in Biratnagar on Monday afternoon. The fire began from a mosquito repellent coil lit by a grocer in his room and engulfed four potato godowns, 14 grocery stores and a tea shop there, police said. The fire brigade took about an hour to put off the raging fire. — HNS

SAARC Award-2004

KATHMANDU: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has invited nominations for the SAARC Award 2004 from among the individuals or organisations based in the SAARC region contributing to promote peace, understanding, friendship and development. The 12th SAARC summit had decided to establish a SAARC award. According to a release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, individuals or organisations should send their nominations to SAARC secretary general by April 21. — HNS

Awareness rally held

BHARATPUR: Salt Trading Corporation limited, Narayangadh and district public health office, Chitwan jointly organised a rally at Narayangadh on Sunday with the view to promoting awareness about the importance of using iodised salt. The rally with different placards, banners and slogans passed round the bazaar before it ended at the corporation office arena.— RSS

Curfew time changed

SARLAHI: The district administration office, Sarlahi has changed the duration of the regular curfew in the district to be effected from Monday. A meeting of the district security committee held on Sunday decided to limit the duration of curfew orders from 9 pm to 4 am everyday. Previously the curfew used to be imposed from 8 pm to 4 am the following morning. — RSS

Elephant menace

UDAYAPUR: A group of wild elephants destroyed nine houses and spoilt 50 quintal food grain in Damaudi, Triyuga municipality-9 of Udayapur. The elephants have been entering the Damaudi village every night since the past three days and dismantle houses and eat away food grains. It is learnt that the houses of Chakra Magar, Durga Rai, Shyam Rai, Lal Rai,Bindrashyam Rai and Sapana Rai were destroyed. — RSS