once-over

18 hurt in mishap :

POKHARA: Eighteen passengers were injured when a minibus bound for Damauli from Pokhara met with an accident near Kotre bordering Kaski and Tanahun districts, on Saturday. Nine of the 18 have returned to their homes while the others are undergoing treatment at the Gandaki Zonal Hospital, Pokhara. The condition of two — Nara Bahadur Gurung and Chhali Maya Thapa — is reported to be critical, said hospital sources. The minibus bearing registration number Ga 1 Kha 1980 rammed a wall after its brakes failed, police said. Bus driver Buddhi Pun has been arrested, said the Dandakonak Police post at Lekhnath. — HNS

FNJ meet held :

BIRATNAGAR: The annual general assembly of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), Morang chapter, concluded here on Saturday, approving 11 important agendas. Restructuring Working Journalists’ Act, setting provision of local advertisement for local newspapers, announcement of special package programme including state subsidy for the development of journalism in districts, immediate removal of weaknesses in press freedom mentioned in the draft interim constitution are some of the agendas approved by the general assembly. The annual report and economic report presented by the secretary and treasurer Dilli Pokhrel and Narendra Dahal were unanimously approved by the general assembly. — RSS

Gyawali’s poser :

KATHMANDU: Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Pradeep Gyawali said here on Saturday that the government would resolve all outstanding issues, like finalising the interim constitution, formation of an interim government and an interim legislature in a month, and pave the way for the constituent assembly election by May if the CPN (Maoist) agrees to arms management first. Speaking at a function organised in the capital, he said, “We cannot imagine the Maoist outfit joining the government until and unless it agrees to arms management.” — HNS

Meet on child rights :

DHADING: Discussions were held on cases of the violation of human rights of children at a one-day workshop organised here on Friday by the Informal Sector Service Centre

(INSEC) Nepal. Participants said students had to suffer during the armed conflict though Nepal has been the signatory of various international treaties and covenants and has laws regarding prohibition of child labour. They added that the practical implementation of the treaties, declarations and laws have not taken in to account. Students, teachers,

human right activists, civil society leaders, and law practitioners and media people participated in the workshop. — RSS