Nepal’s hopes of reaching the super league of the ICC U-19 World Cup cricket tournament came to an end on Tuesday after Zimbabwe defeated Nepal by 2 runs in the second match held in the Colombo Cricket ground on Tuesday.

Nepal opted to field first after winning the toss. Zimbabwe made 201 runs in 49.5 overs losing all wickets. At one point, the Africans were reduced to 90-6 but they recovered to reach 201.

Seam bowler Paras Khadra was superb for Nepal taking 4-28 in 9 overs while opening bowler Amrit Bhattarai was impressive with 1-27 in 10 overs. Off-spinner Ratan Rauniyar captured 1-29 in his 10 over spell.

In reply, Nepal could only muster 199 runs in 50 overs losing nine wickets. Kaniska Chaugain was the highest scorer for Nepal with 78 runs while Sarad Bheswakar and Paras Khadka scored 38 and 28 runs respectively.

At one point, Nepal was cruising at 150-4 in reply, but they lost two quick wickets to reach 158-6. Nepal still had a chance to win at the end but Zimbabwean bowler Gary Balance took two wickets in the final over with his leg-spin to secure a victory that all but guarantees Zimbabwe a place in the Super League.

It was brave captaincy from S Williams to go with the spinners in the last over as a couple of bad balls would have cost them the match.

“We had a look at the Nepal batsmen and could see that while they were fine with the ball coming onto the bat, they struggled when they had to wait for the ball to come to them. So in the last couple of overs, we made a deliberate attempt to take the pace off the ball and the spinners saved us,” the Zimbabwean captain said.

The two sides are part of Group D that also includes England and Ireland, who Zimbabwe beat in their opening match on Sunday.

Nepal will take on European qualifier Ireland on Thursday in its last match of the league phase.

Earlier, England defeated Nepal by 77 runs in the tournament on Monday.

Nepal had defeated Scotland and Namibia in practice matches played before the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2006 campaign.

The top two teams from each group qualify for the Super League series while the bottom two go to the Plate Championship. Nepal can get the opportunity to play in plate championship despite this loss.

Sixteen countries are taking part in the tournament.

Police arrested dozens of leaders and activists of the agitating political parties in different parts of the country during anti-election rallies on Tuesday against tomorrow’s municipal elections.

In Kathmandu, at least 18 agitators were arrested from separate protest rallies carried out by the Nepali Congress (NC) and United Left Front (ULF) this afternoon. Over a dozen NC activists were apprehend from a rally at Thahiti while half a dozen protesters were detained during a rally organised by the ULF at Bhotahiti.

ULF top leader CP Mainali was among those arrested from Bhotahiti. The rallies were taken out despite heavy security presence in view of the weeklong nationwide bandh (shutdown strike) called by the Maoists from Sunday.

Similarly, police took into custody over two dozen activists of the seven-party alliance during an anti-election demonstration in Mahottari district while 19 persons were arrested in Chitwan today, according to reports. More than a dozen protesters were detained in Rajbiraj, Saptari district, while rallies were carried out in Biratnagar, Dang and several other places also.

In another development, medical professionals associated with Nepal Medical Association showed their opposition against Wednesday’s municipal polls, wearing back band during working hours today. They gathered at the Association’s central office in Kathmandu, expressing solidarity to the boycott call of the agitating political parties.

Home Minister Kamal Thapa

Home Minister Kamal Thapa (File Photo)
Home Minister Kamal Thapa has urged the voters to participate in the municipal elections “to fulfil the commitment towards peace and democracy”, vowing to take stern action against those trying to disrupt Wednesday’s polls.

Speaking at a press briefing organized at the ministry of Home Ministry on Tuesday, minister Mr. Thapa has said, “Adequate security preparations have been made to hold the municipal elections in an independent and free and fair manner. I urge the voters to cast their votes fearlessly.”

The minister also expressed his confidence that the voters would participate in the elections and lauded the ‘boldness’ of the election candidates.

The government, he said, has adopted all necessary measures to curb the probable violence by the Maoists during elections and added that strict instructions have been given to security forces to deal with untoward activities.

Security personnel have been given the authority to take toughest action against anybody trying to bar the voters from going to the polling stations or any action aimed at disrupting the elections. When asked by media persons if the security men have been given the authority to shoot those trying to disrupt the polls, minister Thapa’s only reaction was, “Yes”.

Meanwhile, issuing separate public notices, the district administrations of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur prohibited vehicular movement, except under special category, during the municipal elections Wednesday from 6 in the morning till 8 in the evening.

Latest reports say Maoists rebels have attacked eastern hilly district of Dhunkuta Tuesday evening.

Details were immediately not available, but local residents said clashes were going on between the security personnel and the rebels.

There were also reports of explosions in the eastern city of Biratnagar .

Reports of fresh clashes are coming in on the eve of municipal polls slated for Wednesday.

By Dr. Alok K. Bohara

King Gyanendra’s February 1 speech and the Maoists’ decision to take the battle to the cities have both come with some ominous signs. King shows no sign of a letup against the political institutions, and the Maoists seem unwaveringly tenacious in their original goal to dash to the finish line, one way or the other. Danger to democracy seems to be ever increasing from many fronts. In this battle, a picturesque historical town of Tansen just fell victim to this ugly conflict. After establishing a strong presence in the rural areas of Nepal, which accounts for about 80 percent of the country, the Maoists are now knocking on the door. Their targets: the cities.

After staging a daring attack on a bustling town of Nepalgunj in the Far Western town bordering with India, nearly four thousand rebels armed with socket bombs, mortars, and automatic rifles, descended on this administrative stronghold hilly town of Tansen. Considered one of the most beautiful places in Nepal and dotted with historical landmarks, the heart of the town suffered a 7-hours long pitched battle. Its centerpiece, the Tansen Durbar and the surrounding landmarks, became the victim of the assault.

Tansen Durbar : Before the Maoists’ attack

Despite a 12-point New Delhi declaration between the Maoists and the parties, the King’s uncompromising posture and decision to continue to govern with fiat with the help of Generals and the former Panchayati hardliners is hardly consistent with his rhetorical commitment to peaceful resolution and democracy. The latest speech also comes as a slap in the face of some friendly nations like the US and UK who have given him the benefit of doubt and have taken a cautious attitude towards the tactics and ideological drive of the Maoists. In the name of national defense, the handpicked government continues to procure men, materials, and military hardware without any accountability or public debate.

In addition to generating a shock value, the Maoists, on the other hand, may have decided to advance towards a city like Tansen to expand their “tax base”. Or, perhaps it may have been their practice run for an assault on the Kathmandu Valley itself. This author at times even wonders if the warring factions are perpetuating this conflict for economic incentive and to advance their own respective rent-seeking behavior.

With the political parties oppressed and sidelined, the royal government does not need to be accountable to people for budgetary procurements. To the Maoists too, a peaceful resolution will mean an end to their rural financial tax base: NGO’s, teachers, farmers, foreign workers, tourists, cash crops, and the private and public employees. While China and India are busy creating growth and prosperity for their citizens, our generation is busy squeezing our limited resources to produce wars. Whatever entrepreneurial spirit the democracy era (1990-2001) had managed to create through political and economic freedom is all fast evaporating.

With a dwindling economy at the national level, the doubly taxed citizens are less likely to sustain these two parallel regimes. The exodus of our able bodied manpower to foreign lands is increasing, and the young bright minds are fleeing the country in droves. Once the productive middle class secedes from the statecraft completely, the resulting weak state is less likely to attract any investments, and the state may eventually implode.

Regardless of the motive of the extreme forces in the country, what is becoming clear is that the over stretched Royal Nepalese Army is not capable of protecting every city and town, whereas everything seems to be a fair game for the Maoists. That includes continuation of political assassinations and desecration of the national monuments and cultural landmarks.

On a personal level, this author has been touched by the Tansen episode. I was born in a house next to the newly desecrated “Baggi Dhoka”, the biggest gate in Nepal. This beautifully carved gate used to be opened occasionally to celebrate the Bhagawati Jatra. In later years, Tansen had become a tourist attraction.

During the 1950’s democratic struggle against the Rana regime, Tansen was also briefly considered as a possible exile place for the fleeing King Tribhuvan. Bishweswor P. Koirala had come to Tansen to arrange a government in exile and my father Pratiman C. Bohara, an army officer, had escorted him to meet the then Regional Commander Dhairya Shamsher. The stronghold Tansen Palpa fell to the democratic forces and an interim provincial government was formed. My father’s troop (Mukti Sena) advanced towards Butwal and Bhairahawa. My mother’s story about my father taking BP hidden under his military coat through the dark streets of Tansen’s Durbar area during a military curfew is still vividly imprinted in my memory. (Courtesy: my father’s letters, BP’s memoir, and oral tradition)

In a power game and conflict, such memories occupy no significance perhaps. But, the circle of pain is widening to touch just about everyone. How far are we willing to take this conflict and at what cost? What would be the fate of other cultural heritages like the Patan Durbar, Basantpur Square, Bhaktapur, thousands of shrines, and Janaki Mandir?

The Human Rights Charter of the UN and the Geneva Convention serve as a warning to those who commit human rights violation in a conflict. But, the perpetrators of the Tansen event must be reminded of the Hague Convention of 14 May 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

(Dr. Bohara is professor of Economics at the University of New Mexico. Please send your comments to [email protected] or [email protected]. Follow selected responses sent to Dr. Bohara after the carnage in Palpa.—Ed.)

Padma Ratna Tuladhar, Human Rights Activist

I noted your serious concern very much. I agree with you to raise our voices to stop similar carnage as in Tansen. Let us work together to break the present stalemate and try our best to bring the conflicting political forces together for serious talks to resolve the political crisis peacefully.

Kul Chandra Gautam, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations

I, too, feel distressed to see beautiful Tansen being desecrated by the Maoists. It is not a revolutionary act but a barbaric one.

As you know, I am from Gulmi but went to school in Tansen (Janata Vidyalaya), and have many nostalgic memories. We have seen an outpouring of grief and outrage from many people not just from Palpa but throughout the country at the Maoists’ mindless destructive act. I do not know how the Maoists think that they are winning any hearts and minds through such barbaric brutality.

In recent months, we have all been so outraged by the king’s dictatorial actions that the Maoists have been let off the hook. As two wrongs do not make a right, we must continue to speak out against Maoist atrocities just as strongly as we do against the royal Autocracy.

The Tansen episode reminds us that we Nepali diaspora and the international community do not consider the Maoists’ violent acts as “revolutionary” but as despicable acts of senseless brutality. The main victims of the Maoist violence so far have not been the rich, feudal, exploitative, capitalist, royalists but sons and daughters of ordinary Nepalis including poor soldiers, policemen, civilians, and public infrastructure, now including landmark buildings of historical importance. Their acts are inexcusable and will come to haunt them one day.

Professor Dr. Surya P. Subedi, University of Leeds, UK

It was heartbreaking to see the carnage in Tansen. My thoughts are with all of you with close connection with Tansen. My one and only visit to Tansen was during the student movement of 2036 B.S. as a member of the central action committee of the three main student organizations of the day which were fighting against the Panchayat system, but the memory I have of the place is of a scenic hill-top town with warm and hospitable people happily going about their daily business.

The Maoists are destroying our infrastructure and places of historical significance and the King and his henchmen are systematically dismantling our democratic institutions and the very fabric of our society. The vast majority of the people of Nepal are helpless and we should do our best to help them, because they look up to us residing outside of the country as a moral force, which has a measure of influence in both the Maoists and the King. The useless speech that the King made on Feb 1 was deeply disappointing. The whole situation is frustrating. Let us unite in our thoughts and prayers and accelerate our efforts in opposing the Maoist barbarism and the medieval autocracy imposed on the people by the King in whichever way we can

Dr. Madhu Ghimire, Kathmandu

I too would like to join my sentiments with all of yours. Destroying infrastructure and local and national heritage is a despicable feat and cannot be condoned under any circumstances. It inflicts a very chronic wound on the national life and leaves behind an everlasting nidus for continuous division in the life of the nation. Tansen has a very proud position in the life of our nation – socially, politically, geographically and culturally and any wound inflicted on her touches the heart of every single individual that cares for this country. We all empathize with one another on what this nation is going through at present. Sharing the sentiments,

Dr. Ambika P. Adhikari, Arizona State University

I have been to Tansen twice, and have the fondest of memories of the picturesque place. The beautiful old town with compact urban setting reminded me somewhat of my own district’s Bhojpur Bajar, and Dhankuta Bajar that I so often visited as a child growing up in Bhojpur district. Except that Tansen was more beautiful, and had a more interesting “urban” design to its setting.

I was told even in the seventies that almost every household in Tansen had at least one college graduate, which was a phenomenal achievement in Nepal, with a literacy rate of about 25% then. In fact, so many of my colleagues while studying in India came from Tansen and Palpa that this claim seemed credible. The Maoist destruction of the Tansen heritage is regrettable. The royal regime’s incompetence in securing the nation, while holding on unconstitutionally to power is a sad event in Nepali history.

I am saddened by the destruction of parts of beautiful Tansen. It is tragic to lose parts of our cultural heritage.

(Editor’s Note: Nepalis, wherever they live, as well as friends of Nepal around the globe are requested to contribute their views/opinions/recollections etc. on issues concerning present day Nepal to the Guest Column of Nepalnews. Length of the article should not be more than 1,000 words and may be edited for the purpose of clarity and space. Relevant photos as well as photo of the author may also be sent along with the article. Please send your write-ups to [email protected])

By Shiv Raj Bhatt

Under dictatorial regimes, people demonstrate in the streets demanding an election. In Nepal, however, they are in the streets to stop it. The royal government has already demonstrated its `commitment’ to hold municipal elections at any cost, while major political parties and Maoist are actively boycotting it saying that the election is a ploy to legitimize the royal regime.

In a democracy, the authority to govern should and must be derived solely from the consent of the governed (people). Elections are the most important means to know peoples’ consent, therefore, they are central in any democratic system. It is very hard to imagine a ‘democracy without election’ and ‘election without democracy’. Both have very limited meanings, but in Nepal, people are experiencing both. They are experiencing a ‘democracy without election’ for the last eight years and now are going to face an ‘election without democracy’.

Without any fact and examination, it may not be right to say that ongoing election is undemocratic. But many facts, figures and incidences are one by one showing its very undemocratic face. First of all, all the major political parties that held over 90 percent of the popular votes in the last elections are boycotting it. Moreover, they have appealed international community, including the UN, to not recognize its validity and also urged civil servants to boycott it. Secondly, various professional organisations (engineers, teachers, journalists, lawyers and many others), students, international agencies, friendly nations and even civil servants are showing their great concern over the issue of municipal election. Most importantly, general public is quite passive about it. On top of that Maoist are also challenging it, albeit with very undemocratic manner. Low candidacy (number of candidates less than total number of posts); majority of the posts with a single candidate or no candidate, have further raised questions on the legitimacy of this election.

With just a day to go for voting and election campaign already coming to an end, most of the candidates are not in the voters’ reach. There are no election rallies, posters or pamphlets in the streets and walls. Other means used by the candidates to attract voters are also absent. It seems that not only the voters, but candidates also are passive about the election. Recent incidents showed that the royalists, major political parties and Maoist were ready to fight elections, not with the ballot but with bullet and muscles. Though a possible tension and violence was curbed automatically by the low nomination and massive withdrawal by candidates, tension and violence are still there.

In this situation, if elections are held with only one candidate or a list of limited candidates, with no good choices, and good circumstances, one can easily see the hard days to come in Nepal’s cities. Election with government-approved candidates or few frustrated or innocent candidates that hope to get some economic gains can’t be termed democratic. Participation of masses and political parties in fearless and fair environment is a must for democratic election.

According to Jeane Kirkpatrick, a scholar and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, “Democratic elections are not merely symbolic. They are competitive, periodic, inclusive, definitive elections in which the chief decision-makers in a government are selected by citizens who enjoy broad freedom to criticize government, to publish their criticism and to present alternatives.”

For a democratic election, first of all a free, fair and fearless environment for candidates and political parties to contest and voters to cast their votes is must. The political parties must participate and enjoy the freedom of speech, assembly, and movement necessary to voice their criticisms openly. Simply permitting them access to the ballot is not enough. Similarly, the movement of electoral candidates and voters in a fearless condition is also desirable. Moreover, for an election to be democratic the voters must be large enough to include a large proportion of the adult population and enough choices to select a good candidate from a variety of parties should also be ensured for them. Unfortunately, all the basics of democratic election are missing in Nepal’s ongoing municipal election.

(Based in Kathmandu, Bhatt writes on contemporary issues. Please send your comments to [email protected] or [email protected])

(Editor’s Note: Nepalis, wherever they live, as well as friends of Nepal around the globe are requested to contribute their views/opinions/recollections etc. on issues concerning present day Nepal to the Guest Column of Nepalnews. Length of the article should not be more than 1,000 words and may be edited for the purpose of clarity and space. Relevant photos as well as photo of the author may also be sent along with the article. Please send your write-ups to [email protected])

Supreme Court (File photo)
The Supreme Court (SC) ordered the Ministry of Defense, the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) headquarters, Rajdal Battalion, and the RNA’s Bhairavnath Barracks for the second time to produce before the apex court clarifications as to why the authorities were yet to respond to an SC order on January 1.

The authorities were yet to respond to the apex court on their false report regarding the detention of alleged Maoists Ranjit Darnal, Amrit Darnal, Rajendra Chaurel and Pushpa Raj Basnet, according to reports.

The authorities had submitted written explanation to the SC claiming the alleged Maoists were not in army detention. However, an inspection team of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had found the alleged Maoists at the two army barracks.

Following the NHRC’s findings, a division bench of Justices Ram Prasad Shrestha and Top Bahadur Magar had sought clarification from the authorities as to why they had submitted such false claims before the SC, reports The Himalayan Times daily.

Responding to show cause notices on separate habeas corpus petitions, the Rajdal Battalion and Bhairavnath barracks had told the SC some five months ago that the alleged Maoists were not in army detention.

The NHRC had send a report to the Supreme Court saying that its team had found four of the Maoists mentioned in the habeas corpus petitions in army detention — Ranjit Darnal, Amrit Darnal and Rajendra Chaurel at the Rajdal Battalion barrack and Pushpa Raj Basnet at the Bhairavnath barrack.

The NHRC report said the Maoist suspects were held without following proper legal procedures. “The authorities provided no legal facilities to the detainees. They were also not allowed to meet lawyers and relatives. The arrests were made by crossing constitutional bounds,” the report said.

Security forces arrested a dozen journalists in Rajbiraj on Sunday and rounded up 42 leaders and cadres of agitating political parties from various parts of the country from pro-democracy rallies.

Police intervened in a peaceful rally of journalists organized against the repressive behaviour of the government towards media and arrested 12 journalists.

The rally started from Siraha office of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) and clashed with police in Siraha road.

Vice President of FNJ Siraha Prakash Khadka, Treasurer Dipendra Shah and members Mohan Pokhrel and Bidhya Nath Yadav are among the arrested journalists.

In Biratnagar police rounded up at least 22 local leaders and cadres of Nepali Congress (NC), who were organizing protest rally against the municipal polls and Saturday’s incident when policemen had fired at NC’s Morang district President Amrit Aryal and NC Biratnagar municipality committee president Kamaksha Parajuli. Police intervened at the peaceful rally at Pokharia, according to reports.

Reports from Janakpur said, police arrested at least 13 leaders and cadres of agitating political parties while organizing door-to-door campaign to boycott the municipal polls. They were arrested from near the railway station.

In Mahottari, two political leaders were arrested from such protest programme.

Police also arrested three student leaders in Dang while appealing the masses to boycott the municipal election.

Police also arrested two political activists from a house in Bijaura village of Dailekh district and handed them three month detention warrants. They were arrested from being involved in poll boycott campaign.

The seven agitating political parties that are actively boycotting the municipal poll slated for Wednesday have been organizing various programmes to boycott the municipal election.

Normal life in the capital has been affected on Monday as well, the second day of the seven day long Nepal bandh (general strike) called by the Maoists to disrupt the municipal polls.

Like in the first day of bandh, shops in interior parts of the city are open; shops in major thoroughfares remained closed. Most of the public and private vehicles kept off the roads but two wheelers and mini-vans could be seen plying around the streets.

The first day of bandh affected normal life across the country on Sunday.

The bandh however passed off largely peaceful on Sunday though security forces diffused bombs at Balkhu, Chabbhil and in front of the Tri-Chandra military hospital.

Educational institutions, major commercial establishments, private offices and shops in major hubs of the capital remained closed. However, shops and offices in the bylanes were open.

More vehicles were seen plying than on previous bandhs as heavy security arrangement have been made to thwart the bandh.

Some taxi drivers, however, said that they worked Sunday to earn more money. “I always ply my vehicle during strikes because I charge more money on such days,” said Bharat Thapa Magar, of Dhading. Buses belonging to Nepal Yatayat, Kantipur Yatayat, a few micro-buses, tempos and Tata mobile vans were running.

Meanwhile, public life was crippled throughout the nation on the first day of a week-long general strike called by the Maoists. There was scant vehicular movement on roads across Pokhara and most shops, barring some tea stalls, remained closed. Most academic institutions also remained closed. A few vehicles were seen plying, that too under the protection of the security forces. Additional security personnel were deployed in Pokhara, according to reports.

In Chitwan, normal life was brought to a standstill due to the bandh. Only bicycles and rickshaws could be seen plying on the roads while academic and business institutions remained closed.

A report from Bara said most of the shops, local industries and academic institutions in the district remained closed and only a few government personnel attended office. The first day of the bandh crippled normal life in Rautahat too.

A report from Rupandehi said the bandh affected normal life in the district. Though the local administration had urged people to go about their business as usual, most shops remained closed.

According to reports from Sarlahi, most business and academic establishments remained closed. Police personnel were deployed to open shops in Malangwa bazaar Sunday morning, but the shop owners demurred. The Maoists placed obstacles on the Lalbandi section of the Mahendra Highway.

Police forcibly opened the main business centres in Dhading district, including in Dhadingbeshi, the district headquarters. Most of the business institutions remained shut and the streets were deserted. Ambulances were plying on the Tribhuvan and Prithvi highways under the escort of security forces.

A report from Birgunj said most sectors were affected by the bandh. Unified security forces were deployed at the main chowks of the city Sunday morning. Security forces were running some vehicles under their control.

In Janakpurdham, a few motorbikes could be seen plying, but most private enterprises remained closed. The government-run Janakpur Cigarette Factory and Janakpur-Jayanagar Rail service were open for operation.

A report from Pyuthan said all social sectors in the district remained closed. The Maoists staged torch rallies at Bijaynagar, Bijuwar and Dharmawati, among other places, reports quoted locals as saying.

In Tanahun, most educational institutions remained closed while few people could be seen in government offices.

The Maoists obstructed the Mahendra highway’s Belbari to Kakarvitta section. Traffic came to a halt and all shops, industrial houses, educational institutes remained shut. The bomb disposal team dispatched from the RNA’s eastern divisional headquarters deactivated the bombs laid out by Maoists at Jirikhimti in Morang, said the RNA’s eastern divisional headquarters.

A report from Phidim said the local administration used security personnel to open some of the shops in Phidim, yet educational institutes and factories remained shut.

A report from Dhankuta said the bandh affected life there in a big way. Sunsari district was also affected by the bandh, as was Bhairahawa. The bandh also affected normal life in Biratnagar, Gorkha, Syangja, Baglung, Myagdi, Parbat, Dolakha, Rajbiraj and Kanchanpur.

Meanwhile the government decided to give extra 20 percent on insurance amount owners of damaged vehicles are entitled to. Owners of those sans insurance will get proper compensation.

A press release issued by the Ministry of Labour and Transport management said drivers are insured for Rs 150,000 each while the co-driver and helper are insured for Rs 100,000 each.

The Maoists have called a week long Nepal Bandh in a bid to disrupt the municipal polls slated for Wednesday, despite heavy criticism from all walks of life.

The Federation of Nepalese Journalists has condemned the remarks of two cabinet ministers against professional media houses in the country.

Issuing a press statement on Sunday, the FNJ said such remarks is an attempt of institutionilse autocracy and would bear no meaning.

Home Minister Kamal Thapa said that some media houses were inciting Maoists and were being run by the remote control while Minister of State for Information and Communication Shrish Shumsher Rana also made such remarks.

The FNJ also appealed the government to stop abducting, abusing and threatening journalists at different places of the country.

It has urged the government to release ten journalists, arrested from Rajbiraj. The FNJ also objected the Press Council’s seeking of clarification to the Budhbar vernacular weekly.

The FNJ also sought compensation for the damage caused in the office of Pashimanchal FM station.

The FM station was partially damaged during the raid launched by Maoists in Tansen of Palpa.