News from Nepal

Gajuri, Jan. 18: Death toll of Dhading road accident has reached four. As many as 35 persons were injured in the road accident. The deceased have been identified as Raju, the bus driver, Indian nationals Pramila Devi Singh, 30, of Baishali, Khushiya Thakur of Chanarmangram, Jaher Hussain Ansari, according to Binod Ghimire, Police Inspector at the Area Police Office, Gajuri. Bodies of the three people who died in the accident have been kept at Primary Health Centre, Gajuri. A bus bound to Kathmandu from Birgunj plunged into the Trishuli River at Pida VDC Ward No. 2 along the East-West Highway at around 4:15 am today. Three people died on the spot and one died while undergoing treatment in Kathmandu after the bus (Na 4 Kha 6117) met with an accident falling 25 meters down from the roadside and plunging into the river. According to a witness, Keshav Rimal, as many as 35 persons were rescued in injured condition. Seven people among them sustained critical injuries. The in

Kathmandu, Jan. 18:    Political party leaders have said the president should issue ordinances necessary for Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) on transitional justice only after consultation with the parties. In an interaction here today,    they said the ordinance needs consensus of all parties. UCPN-Maoist leader Khim Lal Devkota said the president should approve the ordinance needed for the commission which is indispensible part of the peace process, and added it was needed for transitional justice. NC leader Ramesh Lekhak said it can not be issued without agreement with the parties, otherwise it cannot be implemented. CPN-UML's Agni Kharel said the ordinance submitted to the president does not comply with international conventions and cannot be approved. Spokesman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Gauri Pradhan said one cannot say truth will be found even if the commission is formed at a time when NHRC's calls are not implemented. He

  Kathmandu, Jan. 18: The UCPN-Maoist has held discussions with chiefs and officials of diplomatic missions on the latest political development of the country and other contemporary issues.   The discussion was held in the context that the international community had been worried on the difficult situation in human rights situation, peace process, constitution writing and political crises. At the meeting, UCPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said his party had no policies to encourage impunity and stressed on finalizing all issues by forming a truth and reconciliation commission for conflict- era issues. After the meeting, Prachanda said the meeting filled the communication gap between them and the diplomatic community.He said his party was committed for the commission and ambassadors gave positive reaction to it. Ambassador of the European Union Delegation Alexander Spachis stressed on extensive unity among all political parties for the commission.   He expressed their

Indian security forces have increased the vigil along the border with Nepal after the recent skirmishes with Pakistan at the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, amid fear that it can be an easy route for militants to infiltrate into the country. Three Pakistani and two Indian soldiers were killed recently this month in the worst outbreak of tit-for-tat violence in Jammu and Kashmir since India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire along a de facto border there nearly a decade ago. The Border Security Force (BSF) has stepped up security along the almost 1,750 kilometres long border with Nepal in view of the fact that it is a porous border. Most of the check posts at the border are being managed on a high security level and all the passers by are being checked. "The border of Nepal is entirely open. Nepal is the best route for any militant to infiltrate into our country. So for this we have tightened the security very much here keeping in mind what has happene

Kanchanpur, Jan. 14: A married woman who was taken to India by a third person promising to 'marry' her has returned home after nine months with the help of Maiti Nepal. The woman reached New Delhi with her five-year-old son nine months ago and was left stranded there.   A person claiming himself as a 'military man' called her to the capital and took her to India. They became closer through a mobile phone.The woman's husband had been in Bangalore, India in connection with employment. A Nepali woman at Gurgaon in India provided shelter to the stranded woman.Acting upon information given by the woman's husband, she was rescued from Gurgaon with the help of Maiti India, said Maiti Nepal District Coordinator Maheswori Bhatta. She arrived in Mahendranagar this morning with her son.

Kathmandu, Jan. 14: A meeting between the ruling partners-the UCPN (Maoist) and United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) today have decided to give national consensus first priority. The meeting that took place at the Prime Minister's official residence at Baluwatar has decided to make special efforts on behalf of the government to forge national consensus although the opposition parties were not ready for a consensus. Talking to media persons following the meeting, Chairman of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Republican) and Minister for Information and Communications Raj Kishor Yadav said the meeting agreed on making maximum efforts to forge national consensus.   The meeting also discussed on the matters on how to go ahead if the President does not issue an ordinance related to election recommended by the government. The meeting also dwelt on the agendas the ruling parties are presenting in the all-party meeting called by President Dr. Yadav for tomorrow. UCPN (Maoist)