Indian assistance

NEW DELHI: India has provided Rs 30 million for the construction of embankments in Lal Bakaiya, Kamala, Khando and Bagmati rivers. According to an official at the India’s External Affairs Ministry, a meeting to be held from January 15 to 18 between India and Nepal on the issue of embankment construction will decide on the utilisation of the funds. The official said the site for the construction of embankments will also be visited. — HNS

Blast in house

BARA: An unidentified gang detonated a socket bomb in Janardan Acharya’s house in Kalaiya-4 on Tuesday night. The explosion has caused minor damage to the house, the Bara district police office said. — HNS

Thakur for free Tarai

SARLAHI: Coordinator of the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party Mahanth Thakur said here on Wednesday Tarai should be declared an autonomous state with the right to self-determination. He said this while speaking at a meeting held by party cadres. — HNS

3 arms dealers held

BIRATNAGAR: A team of the Armed Police Force arrested a gang on the charge of involvement in illegal trade of weapons from Milan chowk in Biratnagar-11 on Tuesday. The three, who were arrested while they were trying to sell a pistol brought in from India, were identified as 24-year-old Mohamed Sahim and 22-year-old Mohamed Nausad of Jogbani Amadpur in India, and 23-year-old Mohamed Farooq Seikh of Biratnagar-11 Ashok chowk. However, two persons, who wanted to buy the weapon, absconded. Police also confiscated a country-made pistol from the gang comprising three persons. — HNS

One hurt in shooting

BHAIRAHAWA: A civilian, Chandrika Harijan of Chhipagadh VDC-6, was injured during a crossfire between the police and an unidentified gang on Tuesday night here. Harijan was shot at when he tried to flee the spot after the crossfire took place. Local Sanjay Rauniyar said the gang opened fire aiming to kill Maoist cadre Mahendra Kurmi, however, he was not there at that time. The encounter ensued after the police team from the Dhakdhai area police office arrived at the scene.

The gang fled after a brief encounter with the police. — HNS