Thapa quizzed

KATHMANDU: Former Chief of Army Staff, Pyar Jung Thapa, on Tuesday appeared at the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) where officials recorded his statement on alleged abuse of authority during the Janaandolan-II. The CIAA, which had summoned Thapa on March 28, is acting on the Rayamajhi Commission report that has implicated several politicans and former officials for suppressing the mass movement. The report has accused Thapa of spending more than Rs 20 million illegally. “The money was spent as per the laws,” Thapa told journalists. — HNS

One shot dead

RAJBIRAJ: A group of unidentified persons shot dead Jay Narayan Yadav, 22, of Goithi VDC-7 of Saptari on Monday night. Some five to seven unidentified men shot Yadav while he was sleeping at his home, family members said. The District Police Office (DPO) in Saptari said it was unaware of the incident. In another incident, activists of the Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) led by Jay Krishna Goit detonated a bomb in the District Forest Office, Saptari, on Monday night. The district joint military commander of JTMM Bikash owned up the blast. — HNS

Pak, Russia hail govt

KATHMANDU: Pakistan and Russia on Tuesday welcomed the formation of the interim government. The formation of the new government was an important step towards building sustainable peace, progress and prosperity in Nepal, a statement issued by the office of the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan said. A press release issued by the Russian embassy in Kathmandu said Russia has welcomed the formation of the interim government with participation of the main political parties, including the Maoists. — HNS

Five Indians arrested

BIRGUNJ: Police on Monday night arrested five Indian nationals with 85 kg of hemp from Thori VDC in Parsa, the Area Police Office in Thori said. Those arrested included Sam Suddhin Miya, Karim Shesh, Ramari Majhi, Brij Lal Mukhiya and Dharma Nath Bin. They were arrested while they were smuggling the hemp. — HNS