Scribe still missing

BARA: The whereabouts of Bara-based journalist Birendra Shah were not known even 18 days after he was abducted from Dhodhiya Pipara bazaar in Bara’s Umjan VDC. Chief District Officer of Bara Bimal Prasad Dhakal said search for the missing scribe was on. Meanwhile, a team of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists and INSEC that went to Bara concluded that Shah was abducted by Maoist cadres Kundan Faujdar and Ram Ekwal Sahani. However, the Maoists have not admitted to their role in the abduction. Shah works for Nepal FM and Avenues TV. — HNS

Murder accused killed

Udayapur: Enraged locals of Sundarpur, Udayapur district, killed one Meen Kumar Bastola for allegedly murdering Ramakanta Choudhari, the chairman of a community forest. A member of the Sinai Community Forest had informed Choudhari that Meen Kumar Bastola had hidden

logs around his house. Meen Kumar allegedly killed Choudhari when the latter was trying to locate the hidden logs. Though Meen Kumar surrendered to the Area Police Office in Shibai, Sundarpur, villagers stoned Meen Kumar to death after they came to know he had killed Choudhari. — RSS

Fewer devotees

BARA: The number of devotees visiting the Gadhimai temple in Bariapur of Bara has reduced this year. Earlier, more than 50,000 people used to visit the temple during the Navaratras but the number of pilgrims dwindled to less than 7,000 this year, said Mahajdev Yadav, who resides near the temple. Increasing insecurity in the Tarai region and criminal activities around the temple have led to the decline in the number of devotees, locals here said. A decrease in devotees visiting the temple has also affected the business, traders said. — HNS

Poudel’s charge

NARAYANGARH: Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ram Chandra Poudel on Monday blamed the Maoists for the postponement of the constituent assembly election. Speaking at a greetings exchange programme organised by Chitwan Constituency no 4 unit of the Nepali Congress in Shivnagar on Monday, he said: “Although all parties are guilty for the postponement of the CA polls, the lion’s share of blame goes to the Maoists.” He also said the Maoist activities were making monarchy stronger. — HNS

Dashain in jail

TANAHUN: Inmates of the Tanahun prison celebrated Dashain with fanfare. They received tika from their elders even on Monday. Relatives of some 50 of the 58 inmates came to offer and receive tika to celebrate Vijaya Dashami, the prison administration said. The inmates also sacrificed two goats and spent Rs 11,000 on festivities, said Keshar Bahadur Thapa, head of the prisoners. — HNS