Nepal briefs panels

KATHMANDU: Leader of the opposition in the House of Representatives Madhav Kumar Nepal informed the foreign affairs and human rights committee meeting about his visit to Bhutan at a meeting that was held today under the chairmanship of committee chairman Som Prasad Pandey. Welcoming the initiative shown by Bhutan on resolving the problems and strengthening relations between the two countries, the meeting decided to direct the government for taking initiative to resolve the Bhutanese refugee problem with priority. The meeting also realised that such visits should be encouraged to contribute to the resolution of mutual problems from the non-governmental sectors. The committee expressed serious concern over the announcement of rewards calling for the submission of the Maoist leaders dead or alive at a time when there is a need and calls for talks at national and international level through constitutional means by guaranteeing human rights and finding a political solution. The committee also decided to hold interactions with experts on contemporary issues that hamper the fundamentals of the foreign policy of nepal. RSS

Former VDC chairman killed

HUMLA: Former chairman of local Thay Village Development Committee (VDC) Kali Bahadur Bhandari was shot dead by a group of Maoists. Similarly, a group of terrorists is learnt to have seized four horses, 12 cattleheads and clothes, utensils and food grain from the houses of Humla District Development Committee (DDC) vice-chairman Birkha Bahadur Mahat and Ganesh Bahadur Mahat. The Maoist terrorists are also learnt to have destroyed the Nallapur suspension bridge and the Ksuspension bridge over the Karnali river and hampered movement of goods and people in the Nallapur and Kharpunath areas in connection with the Nepal Bandh general strike. Likewise, a gang of Maoist terrorists has looted Rs 54,055 from chairman of local Maila VDC, about 48 miles away from the district headquarters. The amount was provided by the DDC to be distributed as social security allowance to the disabled, widows, senior citizens and the underprivileged people of the VDC, it is learnt. RSS

Storm lashes Taplejung

TAPLEJUNG: Heavy wind and storm in various village development committees (VDCs) of Taplejung is reported to have blown away roof of houses and caused damage to wheat and mustard cultivation. The storm that swept the area non-stop for a few days ago damaged crops in Bangkholyang, Thechambu, Fungling, Hangdevi, Kangkulung and Pusumba VDCs, said the VDCs concerned. RSS