Mock poll on EVM

Dhangadhi: A mock poll to test the electronic voting machine built by a local student was conducted on Sunday afternoon. The voters were asked if they believed that the new constitution would be drafted on time. As many 281 votes were cast. Sixty-two per cent voters thought the constitution would not be drafted on time. The poll was held at the busy Andolan Chowk in Dhangadhi. Leaders of political parties, academicians, government employees, students and commuters participated in the poll. Prakash Bhattarai of Kanchanpur’s Kalika VDC made the electronic voting machine by using indigenous materials. — HNS

NC activists thrashed

Nepalgunj: More than 10 activists of Nepali Congress, who were heading home from the party’s mass assembly on Saturday, were mercilessly beaten up and robbed. The attack occurred six km from Gulariya at 8:00 pm the same day. Bardiya chapter of the Nepali Congress clarified that the gang robbed them of Rs 10,000 and mobile sets. — HNS

Jhankri’s plea

BIRGUNJ: The All Nepal National Free Students’ Union central president Ram Kumari Jhankri said on Sunday that the significance of the students’ movement could not be played down. Speaking at a programme organised here by Birgunj Nursing Campus, Jhankri said students needed to play an active role for social, economic and cultural transformation under the federal system. ANNFSU central committee member Amrita Baral said there was not enough manpower to train nurses. On the occasion, campus chief Bhuvan Kumari Dangol and former campus chief Shakunta Aryal felicitated Jhankri by offering Dosalla. — HNS

Talks postponed

KATHMANDU: The talks held between the government and National Land Right Forum (NLRF) have been postponed until the Home Minister presented their demands to the cabinet. The government, according to a statement issued on Sunday, has promised to provide timber, potable water and accommodation to the protesters. The NLRF have demanded figuring out genuine tenants and distributing land for their rehabilitation by seizing land above the ceiling. — HNS