Bandh called off

KATHMANDU: The Federation of Backward Class today called off the Madhes-wide strike. It said the eight-point agreement reached with the Ministry of Local Development had pledged to present a proposal on the formation of a Backward Class Development Committee in the cabinet meeting. It said the Prime Minister would talk to representatives of the FBC on Monday. — RSS

Fight-graft plea

Kathmandu: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Sunday wrote to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers to ratify the United Nations Convention against Corruption. The anti-corruption body said the ratification of the convention would help the state in its fight against corruption. The CIAA also called the government to promulgate new Acts and amend existing laws in line with the convention, according to a press release. — HNS

Youths, cops clash

Siraha: Youths, who were on a patrol in Harkatti VDC in Siraha to prevent robberies and other crimes, clashed with the police on Saturday night. In course of the clash, the police fired 15 rounds of fire in the air, villagers said. They said the police had taken three youths into custody. Locals accused the police of beating up Uma Singh, Ghurni Devi Shah, Latta Chaudhari and Jasodevi Singh. Meanwhile, the Siraha District Police Office said the police swung into action following reports that cadres of the Madhesi Mukti Tigers (MMT) and the prisoners, who escaped from the Siraha District Jail recently, were staying in the VDC. The police have accused the villagers of helping the MMT cadres and the prisoners escape. The escapees fired 10 rounds of bullets, the police said. “We have detained three persons to investigate the case,” SSP Ramesh Kharel said.— HNS

MJF polling

KATHMANDU: Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) on Sunday elected Sharad Singh Bhandari as the deputy leader of its parliamentary party. MJF’s parliamentary party meeting held on Sunday unanimously elected Bhandari for the post, the party said. The MJF has already elected Upendra Yadav as the leader of its parliamentary party. — HNS