RPP backs pact

Kathmandu: The Rastriya Prajatantra Party has said it was prepared to work around the eight-point agreement but at the same time stressed the need to strengthen it by ceasefire, human rights and peace agreements. Saying that the government must first work out the security arrangement, the party is of the view that election to constituent assembly is not possible under the current level of security and law and order. On the issue of arms management, the statement signed by Parsuram Khapung, issued as part of reaction on interaction between UN team and parliamentarians on Saturday, rules out the need to monitor the arms wielded by the national army saying, “The supervision of the army confined to barracks will achieve the objective.”— HNS

‘HoR to reform NHRC’

Kathmandu: Subas Nembang, Speaker of the House of Representative, on Tuesday said the parliament has a role to play in reformation of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Addressing an interaction on Paris Principles and NHRC, he said the reformation should follow the guidelines of the Paris Principles. “The parliament should be active to make NHRC more neutral, effective and transparent,” he said. He said the NHRC was an outcome of the 1990 People’s Movement. — HNS

Factory shut down

ITAHARI: The Kasturi Agro (P) Limited in Duhabi of Sunsari closed down on Tuesday after workers started protesting against expulsion of 15 of their colleagues last Friday. Kasturi Agro expelled 15 workers on charge of forming trade union. Member of Trade Union Democratic Unit, Prashant Chaudhari, warned of more protests if their demands were not met. Meanwhile, the Reliance Spinning Mills at Khanar of Sunsari reopened from Tuesday. The workers had shut the factory demanding resignation of factory manager Dipak Tiwari. — HNS

Dacoits kill one

MAHOTTARI: One person was killed and 11 injured when a group of armed dacoits shot at villagers in Awartole of Dhirpur on Monday night. The dacoits also raped a woman and made away with property worth Rs 400,000 from 11 houses there. Bishwo Nath Yadav was killed when dacoits fired at him. Some 15 dacoits armed with pistols and sticks stormed into 11 houses and fled the scene in 45 minutes, taking with them property worth Rs 400,000, police said, adding that the raped woman has been sent to Janakpur Zonal Hospital for treatment. — HNS