Man abducted

BIRGUNJ: An unidentified gang on Saturday night abducted Bir Harsha Shakya, a local jewellery entrepreneur, at Maisthan of Birgunj. Shakya was abducted while returning home from Bhediya, the Parsa District Police Office said on Sunday. Police suspect that he was taken to India through Matiarwa of Bara district. The gang also abducted Arvind Dube, a worker at Shakya’s jewellery shop. However, Dube was freed after two hours, police said. A search for Shakya is underway, police said. Meanwhile, the Nepal Jewellery Entrepreneur Union, Parsa, condemned Shakya’s abduction and asked the government to ensure his immediate release. — HNS

Child hurt in mishap

BARA: Archana Thapa, 7, of Bajani, Simara was injured when an ambulance bound for Birgunj from Pathlaiya hit her near her house on Sunday afternoon, said the Simara area police office. She has been taken to Birgunj-based Narayani sub regional hospital for treatment, police said.—HNS

Coldwave claims 3

RAUTAHAT: Three persons died of cold in Rautahat district within the past two days. The degree of cold has been increasing due to the cold wave sweeping the district. Godur Ram, 80, of Inarwa VDC died on Sunday, family members said. Khena Sahani, 75, of Godh VDC and Laxmi Jayaswal, 75, of Mudwalwa VDC died on Saturday night, Khena’s son Indra Dev Sahani said. Meanwhile, DSP at the Rautahat district police office Kuber Kadayat said the DPO has not received any information of the death. — HNS

Kantipur van attacked

RAJBIRAJ: Cadres of the Jwala Singh-led Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha fired at a van belonging to Kantipur Publications at Pharseth VDC in Saptari district on Sunday morning, said the Saptari district police office. The vehicle was heading towards Chandranigahapur of Rautahat with bundles of newspapers from Biratnagar. However, no loss of property or casualty was reported, police said. Meanwhile, Kailash, a Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha leader, has taken responsibility for the incident. The van was fired at as the newspaper was not highlighting the Madheshis’ problems properly, he alleged. In a statement, the Saptari president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Shambhu Jha, condemned the incident. — HNS