DPM Koirala’s invite

KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala on Saturday urged the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist and other parties to join the government and realise a national unity government. Addressing a programme organised by Nepal Trade Union Congress here in Kathmandu, she said that the civilian supremacy would not be ensured until and unless the Maoists cease their unruly activities. "The Maoists are still unleashing terror," she said. Koirala also expressed concern over prevalent "negative attitude" among the rank and file in her party. —HNS

Four abductors held

NAWALPARASI: Police on Saturday arrested four persons from Hetauda on the charge of abducting a local businessman, Lekh Bahadur Karki. A gang of 12 had forcibly taken away Karki, who is involved in land-related business, from his residence in Kawasoti-5 on Thursday. Although the police had already rescued Karki from the kidnappers' clutch, the other kidnappers are still at large. The arrested abductors include Ganesh Rasaili, Arjun Bahadur Shrestha and Bijaya Thapa, all from Hetauda, and Anil Gupta of Birgunj. The police added that a case would be filed against the four. —HNS

Property gutted

BARA: Property worth Rs 2.5 lakh was gutted in Bara's Pipara and Dharmanagar Village Development Committees on Saturday. Dukha Prasad Shah of Simara-1 lost property worth Rs 2 lakh in a fire, Area Police Office said. Likewise, property worth Rs 50, 000 was reduced to cinder when the house of Jagat Narayan Kanu of Bara's Dharmanagar-7 caught fire due to short circuit, District Police Office Bara said. — HNS

Six hurt in clash

RAJBIRAJ: At least six people were

injured when they engaged in scuffle in Madhepura Village Development Committee of Saptari on Saturday. The scuffle ensued between Mandal community of Madhepura-7 and Ram community of the same village. The situation took a nasty turn

after the Mandals went to destroy houses of the Rams. "Hital Ram, Bhagwat Ram, Sital Ram, Ram Shova Devi Ram, Dhanwanti Ram and Jeetu Ram were injured in the clash," said locals. Four of the injured have

been taken to Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital for treatment."We have been living here for years, but the Mandals told us to leave the village and tried to destroy our houses," said Bhagwati Ram. —HNS