Seven houses looted

Mahendranagar: Armed robbers looted property worth thousands of rupees from seven houses at Suda VDC-5 in Kanchanpur on Friday night. Posing as Maoists, a group of 10 masked robbers entered the village at 10: 30 pm. They looted houses belonging to Daya Krishna Joshi, Hem Raj Joshi, Gopal Singh Bhandari, Shiv Sundar Kalauni, Laxmi Devi Chanda, among others. — HNS

Farm workers’ meet

HETAUDA: The national convention of the Agriculture Workers’ Association-Nepal will be held in Hetauda on November 1 and 2. Around 135 representatives from the branch offices will take part in the convention. — HNS

Factory gutted

POKHARA: A fire broke out in the Jayama Confectionery Factory located on the premises of Pokhara Industrial Area, due to short-circuit on Saturday morning. Two boiler machines were damaged in the fire, said Niranjan Shrestha, proprietor of the factory, adding that property worth Rs 1 million was damaged. No human casualty has been reported. — HNS

Go for republic: Karki

Hetauda: Central member of the CPN-Maoist and the party’s publicity department chief Ram Karki on Sunday said that the Maoists are ready to give up their arms if the seven parties agree to go for a republic. Addressing a mass meet organised by Newa National Mukti Morcha at Palung, Karki said: “The PM should consent to go for a republic and abandon his fascination for kingship.” — HNS

Workers’ sit-in

Mahendranagar: The Mahakali Irrigation Project Protest Committee is on the warpath. It has alleged that the irrigation department has done nothing for workers’ reinstatement. The protest committee has decide to stage an indefinite sit-in here from Sunday. Earlier, a fast-unto-death that began on October 15 ended after an agreement to reinstate retired workers of the project by October 27. The protest committee said that the probe team did not reach Mahendranagar within the time limit. — HNS

Three hurt in mishaps

DHADING: Two persons were injured when a motorbike bound for Kathmandu from Kurintar, Chitwan, met with an accident at Thakre VDC on Prithvi Highway on Saturday, said the Highway Emergency Service Centre, Dharke. Pillion rider Diksha Shrestha of Balaju, Kathmandu, and the youth driving the bike who is yet to be identified, are undergoing treatment at Bir Hospital, Kathmandu. Meanwhile, a report from Phidim said one Lili Maya Mukhiya, 23, of Phidim was seriously injured when a speeding bus bound for Taplejung from Birtamod, Jhapa hit her at Panchthar on Saturday. According to eyewitnesses, the bus (Na 1 Kha 219) rammed her when she tried to stop it in order to embark. A severely injured Mukhiya was sent to Panchthar Hospital and later referred to BPKIHS, Dharan, for further treatment, police said. The bus and driver have been taken into custody, said police said. — HNS

Border sealed

KHAJURA: Considering the election in Nanpar Municipality, India, the border, here between Nepal and India, remained sealed on Saturday. Indian security officers at Rupaidia blocked the flow of vehicles from Nepal to India, from Friday evening. Head of Rupaidia Police Post, Kailash Nath Yadav said the blockade had been imposed by the order of CDO of Baharaich to maintain peace. — RSS

CoAS meet

KATHMANDU: Chief of Army Staff General Rookmangud Katawal paid a courtesy call to visiting team of Higher Command Force of India at Nepali Army Headquarters, on Saturday. Discussions were held on contemporary issues, a statement by Army Public Relations Directorate, said. — RSS