Capital struggles under banda

KATHAMNDU, May 11: Banda enforced by the joint struggle committee comprising Dalit, Chettri, Brahmin, Thakuri and Dasnaami, among others against ethnic based federalism and their inclusion in a group of ´others´ on Friday severely affected normal life in the valley.

In Bhaktapur four people were injured in a clash between those opposition and supporting the strike at Sallaghari. The injured were identified as Mukunda Thapa, Devendra Thapa, Sagar Kunwar and Ishwarranjan Thapa. [break]

The clash erupted after strike supporters stopped a motorcycle that was driven by locals of Kutunje. Police were called in after the clashes escalated.

Similarly, police arrested 11 demonstrators after they allegedly intimidated and attacked people and security personnel while enforcing their general strike on Friday. The demonstrators also vandalized public and private vehicles and a taxi was set on fire at New Baneshwor.

Customs block demanding Birgunj as capital

BIRGUNJ: An all-party struggle committee has annonced to impose customs blockade at Birgunj from Saturday. The committee has been organizing protest programs demanding that Birgunj be declared provincial capital under federal restructuring.

Speaking at a press conference organized on Friday, coordinator of the committee, Surendra Prasad Chaudhari, said that they would impose blockade and halt export of petroleum and other products to pressure the government to get their demand addressed.

Journalist manhandled

CHITWAN: Banda enforcers on Friday roughed up a journalist and vandalized his motorcycle at Ratanagar, Chitwan. Shaligram Nepal, a correspondent of Gorkhapatra daily who also works for Chitwan Radio was riding his motorbike when protestors stopped and manhandled him at Bakulahar chowk in Ratnanagar.

Nepal is also president of Press Chautari, Nepal, Chitwan chapter.

Nepal was heading to Radio Chitwan office to host a program. He had produced his identity card but still the protestors roughed him up. Press Chautari´s Chitwan chapter has condemned the attack and has demanded action against the guilty.

´Undivided Nepal western region´ boards put up in Pokhara

POKHARA: On the second day of the general shutdown called by Brahman, Chhetri and various caste-based organizations here, strike supporters placed signboards of “undivided Nepal, Western region´ in various four places in Pokhara.

According to Padam Karki, coordinator of the strike organizing committee, such boards have been placed at Prithivichowk, Birauta, Chauthe, and Bijayapur. He said that putting up such boards was sponteneous and not planned. The boards have been placed alongside the boards of "Tamuwan autonomous province".

The protesters even tried to remove the Tamuwan board but police prevented them. The protesters have also pressurized the organizers to place boards of ´undivided Nepal Western region,´ Karki said.

Karki said that the organizing committee has given permission to place such a board at Sabhagriha Chowk but the boards were put up in other places as well. Police and strikers clashed briefly while placing the boards.

Rukum locals rally for peace, harmony

RUKUM: At a time when agitations have plagued the country, locals in Rukum on Friday took out a rally for peace and harmony. Participants of the rally chanted slogans demanding that national interest be prioritized over the interests of a particular community. The huge rally had encircled Khalanga market. People from various communities have also been jointly performing religious ceremonies for the last 5 days for peace and harmony.

Far west team in capital for talks

KATHMANDU: A 25-member talks team of the agitating group demanding an undivided far western region has arrived in Kathmandu Friday evening to hold talks with the government. According to Hemanta Regmi, a member of talks team, they are scheduled to hold talks with the government on Saturday.

Don´t disturb social harmony: Koirala to agitating parties

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) President Sushil Koirala has urged all the agitating parties not to indulge in activities that may disturb social harmony. Issuing a press statement on Friday evening, Koirala said the agitating parties are found involved in activities detrimental to the interests of the country and its people. “Social diversity, non-violence, goodwill and tolerance are invaluable assets of our society.

Any activity carried out with hatred and sense of revenge is absolutely inappropriate,” he has said. Koirala also urged the agitating parties not to disturb social harmony and unity while raising their genuine demands. Koirala said it is natural for people from different ethnic groups and geographic regions to demand guarantee of their rights in new constitution. “But while raising such voices we must not disturb social harmony,” he said.