Scribe hurt in blast

BIRGUNJ: Two persons, including a journalist, were injured when a time bomb went off at Ghantaghar Chowk in Birgunj on Wednesday. Journalist Prakas Tiwari (22) and a woman were hurt in the blast. The woman has been identified as mother of Dev Narayan Shah. Tiwari’s condition is critical. Unidentified persons had left the bomb under a coconut tree near Ghantaghar. Ekalabya Pratap, who identified himself as Birgunj city in-charge of Akhil Tarai Mukti Morcha, owned up the blast. — HNS

Writers in Maoist fold

KATHMANDU: Eighteen intellectuals joined the Maoist camp on Wednesday. Maoist chairman Prachanda welcomed them at a function organised by Akhil Nepal Jana Sanskritik Mahasangh on its office premises. Those joining the Maoist fold include vice-president of Progressive Writers Association Sudha Tripathi, central committee member of PWA Sushila Pradhananga, founder president of Sahitya Sandhya Mitra Lal Pangeni, member of Cultural Department of CPN-UML Ramesh Prasad Bhattarai, litterateurs Chhaya Dutta Parajuli and Madhav Dhungel. Leftist leader Shanta Das Manandhar, president of Abhiyan Sahitya Samaj Prabhat Sapkota, litterateur Dhirendra Premarshi, theatre artistes Padam Mahat and actor Rohan Dhakal also entered the Maoist camp. — HNS

Cop found dead

SINDHUPALCHOWK: A police officer of the Armed Police Force, Surya Bahadur Karki, was found dead on the bank of Indrabati river in Bhimtar VDC on Wednesday. — HNS