NRNs, NBA laud deal

NEW DELHI/KATHMANDU: Non-resident Nepalis and social activists here welcomed the signing of the peace treaty between the government and the Maoists. The Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi observed a public holiday and organised a Deepawali in the embassy, said Charge d’Affaires of the embassy, Tara Pokhrel. In Kathmandu, the Nepal Bar Association welcomed the deal. NBA general secretary Madhav Banskota said the pact has expressed full commitment to respecting “rights of the people and the rule of law”. — HNS

Militia stranded

Nawalparasi: The Maoists’ People’s Liberation Army (PLA) personnel, who have gathered at the cantonment site in Rakachuli VDC-4, Nawalparasi, are stranded at Arunkhola since Tuesday due to lack of necessary infrastructure. Around 2,000 soldiers reached Arunkhola on Tuesday after the proposed temporary camp at Chirtungedanda in Palpa was shifted to Nawalparasi. — HNS

PM called on

KATHMANDU: The vice-minister of the Chinese Communist Party, Liu Hongcai, who arrived here on Wed-nesday, met PM Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter’s residence in Baluwatar. Hongcai was received at the TIA by UML leader Jhala Nath Khanal and NC leader Sujata Koirala. — HNS

Jailbirds seek amnesty

Pokhara: The prisoners in Kaski Jail, in a press release on Wednesday, urged the government to grant them amnesty “for the formation of a new Nepal”. The jailbirds had formed a struggle committee after the establishment of democracy in April to push for their amnesty. The committee on Wednesday demanded amnesty to 164 prisoners, saying that they also supported the Jana Andolan II. The committee has sent separate letters to PM Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist supremo Prachanda pleading for amnesty. — HNS

Tree plantation

KAVRE: Over 150 plants of different species were planted in Patalekhet VDC-based Phaskot community forest in Kavrepalanchowk district on Tuesday to mark the golden jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan. The plantation was organised by Love Green Nepal with support from the Japanese government. Local women have taken responsibility to preserve the plants. The plantation covers 19 hectares of land. — HNS