Government should facilitate the investors, rather than adding one after another hassle

As the hearings on the case of Rautahat massacre that involves Nepali Congress (NC) lawmaker Mohammad Aftab Alam continues, this high-profile mass murder case seems to be making a new twist. Eyewitnesses and victims are changing their initial statements apparently to weaken the case.

Senior orthopedic surgeon and the crusader of medical education reforms in Nepal, Dr Govinda KC, has won millions of admirers since he first started hunger strike to get the government address his demands in 2012.

Hundreds of people gathered at Khula Manch of Kathmandu on Saturday to express solidarity with “Occupy Tudikhel” campaign. People from all walks of life joined the rally chanting ‘save Kathmandu’s lungs.’

Indian officials often complain, in conversations with Nepali media, that despite doing so much for Nepal, Nepalis still hold anti-India sentiments. At times, they tend to suggest that Nepal has been an ungrateful neighbor. No doubt, with India, Nepal has had historical cultural, social and people-to-people ties.

Nepal is gearing up for by-elections scheduled for November 30, for 52 vacant positions including a seat for the federal parliament and three seats for provincial assemblies.

Her face was dipped into boiling fish curry simply because she was not cooking fast enough.  And then the perpetrator, none other than her husband, locked her inside and left to bring ointment, which he never did.  Fearing that his dastardly act would become public and he would have to face the consequences, he ran away the next morning.

In yet another deadly road accident in Sindhupalchok district at least one and half a dozen people have lost their lives and over 50 persons sustained injuries when a passenger bus en route to Kathmandu from Dolkha plunged into the Sunkoshi River. The cause of the accident is over-speeding and overloading as in most such cases of road accidents. All seats in the bus were occupied, and 20-25 passengers were standing, according to the survivors. Most of these passengers were returning to Kathmandu after Tihar celebrations. Sindhupalchok accident is the latest in the series of bus accidents happening in the country. Nearly every month, people lose their lives to road accidents. According to the data released by Nepal Police in May this year, road accidents killed 11,005 people across the country during the last five years and altogether 19,877 people were seriously injured in such accidents. The data shows that road accidents have been increasing every year—at the rate of 28 percent. These are the alarming records and yet the government bodies, including Nepal Police, have not been able to do much about controlling such accidents.

Medical students are protesting against the colleges for charging them disproportionately high fees. It began from Chitwan in September, when the students rose to protest for 18 days demanding return of the extra fees charged by the college administration and seeking basic infrastructure. Some such protests were seen in Kathmandu as well demanding stern action against medical colleges charging unjustified fees. In Chitwan, the protests ended only after District Administration Office intervened, making Chitwan Medical College sign the agreement to return the extra fees taken from students. The students, however, have warned to resume the protest if the college administration does not abide by the agreement.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli returned to Baluwatar Thursday evening “fit and fine” after undergoing treatment at Tokha-based Grande Hospital for two days. Oli underwent hemodialysis twice in this period. Emerging from the hospital, PM Oli said in a reassuring tone that he is all right. But during the two days when the PM was undergoing treatment larger public concern, including that of the media, was about PM’s office not informing the general public about the nature of ailment and the treatment he was administered. People were nearly kept in the dark about the health status of the head of the government. “What happened to the prime minister? Is the illness serious? Why does not the government update the people with regular health status?” People asked in the social media. Part of such response was triggered by rather conflicting and confusing statements coming from advisors of the prime minister. Earlier it was said that PM was in the hospital for a “regular check up.” PM’s press advisor would say the PM is all right and he would return home soon after, then the hospital administration would inform otherwise. It is good that PM has regained his health and reportedly has no problem in governing. We hope the PM will recover early and will be able to get back to work actively.