Once-over

Property looted

SIRAHA: A gang of armed dacoits looted cash and property worth Rs 5 lakh from four houses in Arana Beliniya VDC of Siraha on Thursday night. The gang of seven looted cash, gold, silver and other valuables from the houses of Ram Ashish Mahara, Baharu Mahara, Manju Mahara and Jageshwor Mahara in Beliniya-3, police said. Manjudevi Mahara, who was injured while retaliating with the dacoits, is currently being treated at a local health post, police said.— HNS

House gutted

SANKHUWASABHA: A house belonging to Indra Bahadur Pakhrin of Mawadin Village Development Committee in Sankhuwasabha district was gutted on Thursday night. Property worth Rs 2 lakh was damaged when the fire destroyed millet, clothes and important documents, police said. — HNS

Rhino calf found dead

CHITWAN: A two-and-a-half-year-old rhino was found dead in Chitwan National Park. A park source said the calf’s remains found near the park’s Lami Lake on Thursday hinted that it could have been killed by a tiger. The hoofs, however, were taken by the park officials. — HNS

Ex-cops’ protest

ILAM: The police force deserters during the conflict on Friday obstructed Ilam section of Mechi Highway demanding their reinstatement. The transport obstruction left passengers heading to Panchthar and Taplejung from Jhapa stranded since early morning. Hem Kumar Shrestha, Ilam president of the agitating policemen’s committee, demanded that they be reinstated as per the Police Act since they had to quit their jobs bowing to Maoist threats. Meanwhile, the indefinite transport strike effected by the students of Ilam-based Karphok Mahavidhyalaya was withdrawn on Friday. — HNS

Gautam’s diktat

MAHOTTARI: Deputy Prime Minister and Home minister Bam Dev Gautam on Friday directed security bodies to initiate measures stop the ongoing murder, violence, abduction, coercion, road strike and criminal activities going in different parts of the Tarai. Addressing a meeting of security officials, Gautam directed them to discourage obstruction of roads. The meeting was attended by Home secretary, IGP, Armed Police Force, chief of National Investigation Department, regional police chief, zonal police chief and security officials of Mahottari, Dhanusha, Sarlahi and Sindhuli. — HNS