Kathmandu, May 11, 2007

Maoist chairman Prachanda today said his party would reach an agreement with the Nepali Congress by tomorrow on maintaining the eight-party unity. “We want improvement in the facilities for the PLA in cantonments while NC leaders want the Maoists to return the seized land. An agreement on this would go a long way in ending the present deadlock. We believe an agreement in this regard will be reached by tomorrow,” he said, while addressing a programme for the unification of the CPN-M and United Democratic Republic Front. The Maoist supremo added that the party was working at different levels to bring all forces to an understanding. “We are ready to join hands with all the forces to bring an end to the monarchy. Soon a Nepal Communist Party would be born without any sub-titles,” he said. Addressing the gathering, chairman of UDRF Dr Ram Man Shrestha said the unification took place, as the programmes of the Front happened to be similar to that of the Maoists. Prachanda offered red “tika” to the new members of the party from UDRF. Meanwhile, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula and NC CWC member Dr Shekhar Koirala met Prachanda and his deputy Dr Baburam Bhattarai at Prachanda’s residence. Prachanda assured the NC leaders that the YCL cadres would not indulge in destructive activities as he had already instructed them to stop acts that are detrimental to the eight-party unity.

Seven killed, 60 hurt in Gulmi mishap

Gulmi, May 11, 2007

Seven persons were killed and 60 injured when a passenger bus bound for Palpa from Butwal met with an accident at Rupakot VDC in Gulmi district this afternoon. Five persons were killed on the spot while two died en route to Palpa-based Mission Hospital, said the Gulmi district police office. Of the injured, 15 are undergoing treatment at Shantipur health post in Gulmi while 45 have been admitted in the Mission Hospital, police said. The bus skidded off the road after its brakes failed on the narrow road section, passengers said. The deceased have been identified as Arjun Subedi of Baglung, Shankar Gaire of Gulmi, Netra Bahadur Khatri of Baglung and Ramesh Sharma Gyawali of Baglung. Three others could not be identified, police said. Condition of the injured persons is reported to be out of danger, said Dr Chura Bahadur Thapa in the Mission Hospital. Meanwhile, the death toll in yesterday’s bus mishap on Araniko Highways rose to eight with three of the injured succumbing to their injuries. Four passengers of the bus have been missing in Bhotekoshi river. The bus was en route to Barhabise from Tatopani. Pasang Dolma Tamang and Tasi Tamang died in Dhulikhel Hospital while Kamini Sherpa died in Teaching Hospital in capital last night, said DSP Sakul Bahadur Thapa at the Sindhupalchowk district police office.