Maoists collecting tax

POKHARA: Maoist cadres are collecting tax from tourists who go for trekking in the Annapurna area, tourism entrepreneurs have alleged. The Maoists are collecting Rs 100 per day from each tourist for trekking at Birethati (Kaski), said a tourist guide Khaga Raj Neupane. Local Maoist leaders said they would stop collecting donations after the Maoists join the interim government. — HNS

Two abducted

RAJBIRAJ: Cadres of the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) on Thursday abducted two persons in Saptari district. “Seven persons, claiming to be JTMM cadres, abducted the manager and the senior assistant of Swabalamban Bikash Bank (SBB) at Mahuli in Saptari,” said a bank staff, Bhuvan Khatiwada. — HNS

Hospital work hit

Pokhara: Services in the anaesthesia department of the Western Regional Hospital in Pokhara came to a complete halt on Thursday due to the absence of the chief doctor in the department. The services will resume once Dr Bhupi Tulachan, joins the duty on Sunday. — HNS

Panel dissolved

Kathmandu: The government and Maoist talks teams on Thursday dissolved the National Monitoring Committee on Code of Conduct for Ceasefire (NMCC), which was formed on June 15 to monitor the ceasefire code of conduct the two parties had signed on May 26. The NMCC was headed by Professor Birendra P Mishra. — HNS