Violence denounced

Kathmandu: Speakers at a programme held on Wednesday stressed the need to educate men on violence against women and break their silence to address the issue. Speaking at a programme titled ‘16 Days of Activism To End Violence Against Women: Advance Human Rights’, Rajendra Dahal, chairperson of the Press Council Nepal, said: “Besides catching hold of culprits of physical violence, the definition of violence should also be widened.” — HNS

US hails peace accord

Kathmandu: The USA has welcomed the peace agreement signed between the government and the Maoists. In his remarks to the Asia Society Washington DC on Monday, US Under-Secretary for Political Affairs R Nicholas Burns said the US hails the announcement of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the government and the Maoists. US hope this step will place Nepal on the path of lasting peace process and US pledge its support, he said. — RSS

Martin hails pact

KATHMANDU: Personal Representative of the UN Secretary General in Nepal Ian Martin has, in a statement, said he is pleased to see that the negotiations between the government and the CPN (Maoist), with the assistance of his team, have reached an agreement on the key details required for the UN to provide effective monitoring of arms and armies. The agreement is now being reviewed in New York, and comes at a very important time (as the UNSC considers the Secretary-General’s response to Nepal’s request), says the statement. — RSS

Work on statute draft

KATHMANDU: The government and Maoist talk teams on Wednesday commenced homework to give a final shape to the draft of the interim constitution. The latest efforts follow signing of the arms deal on Tuesday after a delay of five days. The meeting, which commenced at Hotel Shangri La is expected to give final shape to the draft in a shorter span of time since contentious issues have already been addressed. — HNS

19 held with hooch

Kathmandu: A police team from the Metropolitan Police Circle, Bouddha, on Wednesday arrested 19 persons on the charge of producing alcohol illegally. The police also seized 500 litres of alcohol, raw materials used to produce alcohol and drums. The team made this arrest after raiding 40 inns. The police also seized 500 litres of alcohol, raw materials to produce alcohol and drums. — HNS

Health services hit

Sarlahi: All health services came to a halt in Malangwa-based Sarlahi District Hospital on Wednesday after the health workers staged a sit-in on the premises of the district administration office to protest the month-long absence of the hospital’s medical superintendent. “The workers halted all health services here as the office chief is absent,” Dr Dharmendra Prasad Shah said. — HNS

Maoists seize paddy

KOHALPUR: The Maoists have seized paddy from Dakchin Lagora of Lobasta-1 violating the agreement reached between them and the government. They seized at least 50 quintals of paddy from Khadka Singh Tharu and others. Carrying the confiscated paddy on tractor, Maoist cadre Udaya said they had confiscated paddy of Khadka Singh Tharu, Diwakar Khanal and Rishi Ram Sharma. “We don’t know anything, we do what the party says,” the cadres said. — RSS

Indian assistance

KATHMANDU: The Embassy of India on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding with the District Development Committee, Bhaktapur and Nepal Medical College (NMC) Teaching Hospital for the construction of a Community Satellite Health Centre for the NMC at Jhaukhel village, Bhaktapur. The government of India will provide Rs 12.2 million for the construction of the centre, which is expected to contribute to the healthcare of the people in its adjoining areas by providing improved medical infrastructure, the embassy said in a statement. — HNS

Support for PLA

Damak: The government has started providing support for the management of the Jhapa-based first cantonment site of the Maoist People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The local camp management office (LCMO) under the Home Ministry, yesterday initiated its preliminary work. After discussing with local Maoist representatives yesterday, the office has started arranging for drinking water and repairing roads here. “Four telephone lines will be installed in the camp. A Public Call Office centre will be established to help locals,” said Ganesh Adhikari, an LCMO officer. — HNS

Agreement signed

KATHMANDU: ServingMinds and Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM) on Wednesday signed a collaborative agreement for launching a Corporate MBA programme, said a statement issued here. As per the agreement, KUSOM will deliver MBA programme to the employees of ServingMinds, the statement said. “Since most of our employees are college going students, the agreement would enhance their careers and enrich experiences of the employees while enabling them to earn,” quoted Ashish Kapoor, president of the ServingMinds.— HNS

10-day dental camp

KATHMANDU: Kathmandu School of Dentistry and Dental Hospital conducted a 10-day-long Dental Camp and Oral Health Survey Programme from November 16-26 in Dhangadi, said a statement issued here on Wednesday.— HNS