Rupandehi, March 25, 2008

At least 25 persons were injured after Maoist cadres clashed with police in Rupandehi today.

Maoist cadres who were protesting what they called the import of arms by Armed Police Force from India clashed with the police, leaving 17 Maoists and eight policemen injured. Maoists had seized two trucks at Jogikuti yesterday, claiming that the trucks contained weapons.

They clashed with police today after local administration escorted the trucks to Bardhghat-based Bindhyabaisni battalion of the APF. Police rained lathis on the Maoists and fired tear gas shells after the latter tried to stop the trucks from moving ahead. The Maoists had called a bandh in Rupandehi, Kapilvastu and Nawalparasi till 5 pm today to protest the “import of weapons”. They also organised a chakkajam from 12 to 1 pm all across the country.

Irate Maoist cadres vandalised and torched six police beats in Butwal, including the ones at Chauraha, Bus Park and Hospital Line. They also torched a jeep, and vandalised another jeep and two buses. Meanwhile, APF source said the trucks were carrying only riot controlling instruments. CDO Wagle said he was unaware of the vandalism. He said he sent the trucks to the battalion as per the government’s direction.

At a press conference held later today, Maoist central member Devendra Poudel said the local administration escorted the trucks to Bardaghat at 3 pm and demanded action against Rupandehi CDO Dhruva Raj Wagle, chief of civilian police Rabiraj Shrestha and chief of Armed Police Force Bansi Raj Dahal.

Sting comes calling yet again

Kathmandu, March 25, 2008

Renowned Grammy-award winning British musician, Sting, who attained international acclaim both for his music and activism is in Kathmandu with his family and friends.

The 57-year old singer, whose favourite holiday destination happens to be Nepal, arrived here two days ago on a weeklong holiday.

Keeping him company are his wife Trudie Styler, teenaged son Luke and an unidentified couple.

This is the second visit of the Police frontman to Nepal. He was here three years ago to take a rafting trip down the Trishuli river with son Luke. The last time around Sting did an impromptu jam-up with local jazz band Cadenza in the Jazz Upstairs Bar in Lazimpat. Sources in the know told The Himalayan Times that this time around Sting, whose real name is Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, would be spending much of his time outside Kathmandu.

In fact, the day he arrived he made a flying to Khumbu valley. He is scheduled to leave for the upper reaches of the Himalayas tomorrow morning. On Tuesday, Sting went shopping in the tourist hub of Thamel incognito along with his family members.