NSU’s call to CPN-M

KATHMANDU: President of the Nepal Students’ Union Pradip Poudel on Monday called on the CPN-Maoist leadership to reconsider its decision to deploy People’s Liberation Army personnel as security guards for Prime Minister Prachanda. Distrust towards the Nepal Army will do no good for the nation, Poudel said. — HNS

Contractor abducted

PHIDIM: Locals abducted a contractor from Phakphok VDC in Panchthar district on Monday. A group of 35 people abducted Ranjan Shrestha, contractor of Jaika Nepal, who had come to Phakphok VDC for commissioning the Phakphok Electricity Project, Birna Singh Chemjong, a local, said. Construction of the Phaphok power plant was initiated three years ago. Locals said the group abducted Shrestha for not paying wages to labourers and failing to install transmitters in designated locations. — HNS

Highway obstructed

DANG: A bus heading to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu hit and injured Man Bahadur Kunwar, 38, of Barakhutti, Dang district, on the East-West Highway on Monday. Demanding treatment for the injured, locals have blocked the Lamahi-Bhaluwang road section, a local, Bhanu GM, said. Many passengers have been stranded due to the strike. — HNS