FIR against Maoist

POKHARA: Secretary of Lahachowk VDC in Kaski district Eknath Poudel on Monday filed a first information report at the Kaski district administration office saying that a Maoist cadre Jagat Tiwari beat him up. “Tiwari beat me up while I was on some official work on June 27,” Poudel said. Kaski CDO Bhola Prasad Siwakoti said, “A letter has been sent to the district police office asking it to investigate the case.” — HNS

Lanka FM in Lumbini

BHAIRAHAWA: Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama on Monday visited Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Accompanied by archaeologist Basanta Bidari, Bogollagama toured places of religious and archeological importance, including the Maya Devi Temple, Sri Lanka Buddha Bihara, Mahabodhi Society and Lumbini Museum. Bogollagama also visited Tilaurakot of Kapilvastu. — HNS

Shopkeeper killed

Dhangadhi: Two unidentified persons hacked a shopkeeper, 50-year-old Surendra Pandey, near the Talbanda-based seventh division cantonment of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Monday, the camp commander, Mahendra Bahadur Shahi ‘Prajwal’ said. According to Prajwal, Pandey is a native of Basuling VDC of Baitadi district. Saying that Pandey’s shop was doing brisk business among two dozen shops in the area, Prajwal said jealousy may have had something to do with the murder. — HNS

DEO staff’s pen-down

Rajbiraj: Staffers of the Saptari District Education Office (DEO) on Monday launched a pen-down strike to protest the manhandling of District Education Officer Dev Narayan Yadav over the appointment of the headmaster of the Kanchanpur-based Suryodaya higher secondary school. Demanding that security be provided to them, the staffers urged the government to punish those who beat up officer Yadav and peon Prabhu Yadav last week. After beating the officer and the peon, the mob had vandalised the office. — HNS

Fresh split in JTMM

Itahari: At least 15 members of the Sunsari chapter of the Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha (Jwala), including Sunsari in-charge, Sanket, and military commander, Abhas, have revolted. The new faction is preparing to announce its name. Sanket is leading the new faction. Military commander of the JTMM-Jwala in Sunsari, Abhas, has joined him. Sanket said he parted ways as the JTMM-Goit and JTMM-Jwala are extorting people and terrorising them. — HNS

Eight hurt in clash

BHAIRAHAWA: Eight persons, including two policemen, were injured in a clash at a medical shop at the Gautam Buddha Airport on Sunday. The clash ensued after some youths had a dispute with the owner of the shop Chandrika Yadav. — HNS

Pillion riding banned

RAUTAHAT: In view of growing incidents of abduction, loot and murder, the local administration on Monday banned pillion riding on motorcycles until further notice. A meeting of the security committee decided to urge motorcycle riders not carry anyone pillion on their bikes. — HNS