Peace accord flayed

KATHMANDU: Indigenous Nationalities NGO Federation Nepal has criticised the peace agreement signed by the Maoists and the seven parties on November 21 claiming that it it could not tackle the issue of ethnic autonomy raised by the Maoists to solve the real cause of the people’s war. — HNS

Tourism info centre

KASKI: A Tourism Information Centre has been set up at the Begnas Lake in Lekhnath municipality, Kaski. Director of the Nepal Tourism Board Subas Niraula inaugurated the centre established with a view to contributing for development of rural tourism. — RSS

‘Monarchy will end’

Surkhet: CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal on Saturday said monarchy would be terminated in Nepal through the people’s peaceful movements. Inaugurating the fifth convention of UML, Surkhet, Nepal said: “Change in Nepal is impossible without the end of monarchy. So we are launching peaceful campaigns to root out monarchy.” Stating that the Jana Andolan II has taught lesson to those who believed in the power of gun, he urged the Ma-oists to win the people’s heart. — HNS

Meet on human rights

BIRATNAGAR: An interaction on human rights and social inclusion was organised here on Friday by the National Human Rights Commission Regional Office Biratnagar to mark the 58th International Human Rights Day. Some 60 persons including representatives of various human rights organisations, lawyers and journalists participated in the interaction. The objective of the interaction was to provide suggestions on inclusiveness in the country. Morang District Court Chief Judge Nawaraj Upadhyay said it will take time to remove the 4000 year-old discrimination but will remove itself gradually. — RSS

Youths return home

MAHENDRANAGAR: Five youths of the Kalika VDC who went to join the Maoists’ army have returned to their homes from Baluwaphant of Krishnapur. Ramesh Chand, Rakesh Bohara and others returned from the Maoists’ camp. — RSS

One gunned down

GAUR: An unidentified group shot dead Kashi Chaudhari of Garuda VDC-4 in Rautahat on Friday evening, police said. Naresh Subedi, Inspector at the District Police Office, said the assailants gunned him down while he was sleeping at his house at Jigadiya VDC. He was serving in the house of former Inspector General of Police Pradeep Shumsher JBR. The search for the criminals is on, police said. — RSS

NC’s campaign

ARGHKHACHI: A campaign ‘Let’s go to village’ to make cadres aware has been launched in different VDCs with the initiatives of NC constituency No 1of the district. NC president of Constituency No 1, Krishna Prasad Khanal, said they have launched such campaign to gather information about the party’s strength in the district, Maoists’ donation and recruitment. Secretary of Constituency No 1, Dhanishwor Khanal said the programme has been launched in 11 VDCs including Dhakabang, Kimdada, Argha, Dibharna, Khan, Khandaha and Dharapani so far. — RSS

Mahat’s assurance

NAWALPARASI: Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat has said that the government is working to hold constituent assembly elections within mid-June next year by forming the interim parliament and government after weapons management and formulation of interim constitution. Addressing a large mass meeting organised on Friday by the Integrated Hill Development Committee in Bulingtar VDC of the hilly area of Nawalparasi, he said the government is committed to building a new Nepal by establishing sustainable peace as per the people’s aspirations. — RSS

Bamboo bridge made

UDAYAPUR: The people of Udayapur and Okhaldhunga districts have benefited after the locals of Tokselghat Sunkoshi recently made a folding bamboo bridge over the Sunkohsi river. Lekhani VDC secretary Yuvaraj Lamsal said the bridge made with the efforts of the people of Udayapur on the banks of the river has directly benefited the people of OKhaldhunga, Solukhumbu, Khotang and Udayapur to come down to Terai and several parts of the country. Bastola added that the bridge made this time is very useful in all other periods except in rainy season. More, it can be folded and kept safely when the river is swollen. — RSS