Bazaar closed

DAMAK: All Nepal Supply Workers Association (ANSWA) closed down Birtamod bazaar on Friday, following a dispute with the Jhapa Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JCCI). The dispute arose after the JCCI introduced the provision to restrict the loading and unloading of goods in vehicles on Wednesday. The JCCI had introduced the restrictions accusing the ANSWA of increasing the loading and unloading rates in Birtamod breaching the past agreement. "As the ANSWA unilaterally hiked the loading and unloading rates cent per cent, JCCI was forced to make such a decision," JCCI secretary Raj Kumar Karki said. Earlier, the rate used to be fixed on common agreement. The talks scheduled for Friday could not take place as the representatives of ANSWA were not present at the meeting. Markets and shops remained closed due to the bandh called by the business entrepreneurs in Birtamod. "Attempts are underway to settle the dispute," Rajendra Kumar Thapa, JCCI chairman said. —HNS

Koshi-hit on warpath

ITAHARI: People of Prakashpur, Barahakshetra and Madhuwan village development committees, in Sunsari, who were displaced by the Koshi floods 26 years ago, on Friday staged a sit-in at the District Administration Office demanding relief and resettlement. The flood in the Koshi river

had swept away 12,000 bighas of land in the three VDCs displacing some 7000 people. The victims' protest halted activities daily works at the Sunsari DAO. — HNS

Corporal punishment

KHOTANG: Bhusan Puri, an eighth grader at Shanti Secondary School in Chhorambu Village Development Committee in the district, was critically injured when a teacher thrashed him on Friday. "My son sustained critical injuries when teacher Ranser Tamang beat him on the charge of not wearing the uniform," Ratna Bahadur said. He accused the assistant headmaster of using iron rod to punish the child. Tamang admitted that he had punished the student for violating the school's rule. — HNS