Call to prevent riots

BIRGUNJ: The Birta Youth Group on Wednesday condemned the “anti-social activities” that took place here on Tuesday during the Terai region bandh called by the Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum. In a memorandum addressed to Parsa Chief District Officer Narendra Raj Poudel, chairman of the group Rajesh Prasad Gupta urged the administration to prevent such activities. The group also demanded that the culprits be punished and compensation given to the victims. — HNS

Rickshaw strike

HETAUDA: Rickshaw-pullers here have announced an indefinite strike from Wednesday to protest the increment in rickshaw rent effected by rickshaw-owners. A meeting of the rickshaw-pullers, which was held on Tuesday, decided to call the strike. “Earlier, we had to pay Rs 40 daily as rickshaw rent to the rickshaw-owners. We are compelled to stage the strike as the rickshaw-owners have increased the daily rent by Rs 16,” Krishna Prasad Regmi, chairman of the All Nepal National Rickshaw Workers’ Union, said, adding that their protest will continue until the rent is brought down to the old rate. — HNS

JTMM abducts one

RAJBIRAJ: Activists of the Jay Krishna Goit-led Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) abducted an employee of the Area Post Office, Damodar Acharya, 50, at Bhardaha on Wednesday. The JTMM activists have demanded Rs 5 lakh as ransom for Acharya’s release, Acharya’s family said. Saptari district joint military commander of the JTMM Bibek has owned up the abduction. — HNS