One abducted

BANKE: An unidentified group abducted Lalit Kumar Rauniyar, working committee member of Nepalgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries (NCCI), on Friday night. NCCI, in a press release issued on Saturday, demanded the safe and immediate release of Rauniyar, a resident of Nepalgunj-3. Abadhi Patrakar Sangh, Banke chapter, has also demanded the safe release of Rauniyar. — HNS

JTMM-J attacks APF

GAUR: A retaliatory attack took place between groups of APF and Jwala Singh led Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) on Friday. The members of JTMM opened fire on a patrol police team from Armed Police Camp, Samanpur, when they encountered each other at Gamhariya VDC and Malahi VDC. The team led by DCM District Commander JTMM Karent Singh also exploded a bomb targeting the Armed Police team. No human casualties occurred in the firing and bomb explosion. — RSS

Girl dies in mishap

KAPILBASTU: A school girl died on the spot when she was hit at Barauhiya, Pakadi- 3, of Kapilbastu district on Friday by a bus heading to Bhairahawa from Taulihawa. Sunita Kohar, 8, of Dumara VDC- 7 died on the spot, said police. Irate locals set the bus on fire after the incident. — RSS

Paragliding contest

POKHARA: The ninth open paragliding competition kicked off here on Saturday to promote tourism through adventurous sports. The Trekking Agent Association Nepal (TAAN), Regional Chapter, Pokhara has been organising this competition every year. Altogether 57 contestants, including seven female and 50 male participants from 27 countries, are taking part in the competition. — RSS

Snowfall in Mustang

MYAGDI: Heavy snowfall in Mustang district since Friday morning has obstructed communications services and affected daily life. The snowfall continued until late Saturday afternoon, forcing people into their homes while there was the risk of livestock dying of cold. Snow as high as three feet has accumulated. — RSS

Bandh affects life

BARA: The Tarai Army-called three-day bandh of Bara, Parsa and Rautahat districts affected normal life on the third day on Saturday as well. All shops in Kalaiya were closed and very few vehicles plied on the Kalaiya-Birgunj road. — HNS

Badal’s take

MAHENDRANAGAR: Maoist leader Ram Bahadur Thapa, alias Badal, said here on Saturday that only representatives elected through constituent assembly polls can effect the integration of the Nepali Army and the People’s Liberation Army. He said some criminals are trying to fragment the nation in the name of autonomy. — HNS

NSU warns of strike

Bhairahawa: The Rupandehi district unit of Nepal Students’ Union on Saturday warned of disrupting the gathering of the seven parties scheduled for Monday. NSU members met Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula here and said that if the government did not take action against the Maoists who attacked NSU members, their union unit would call a bandh in Rupandehi and won’t allow the gathering. — HNS