Good morning!
Here’s a summary of important, ignored and interesting reports from Saturday to kickstart your Sunday.
Important
Seven still missing in Annapurna avalanches
Whereas rescuers including security personnel rescued at least 73 trekkers who had gone out of contact in the Annapurna region after several avalanches hit the popular trekking area on Friday, seven are still missing, police say.
Those who have not been located include four Koreans and three Nepalis.
Though the Kaski District Police Office confirm the ‘out of contact’ status of only seven, the number is as big as 64, according to Khum Bahadur Subedi, a leader of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal. He says there were at least eight avalanches in the region.
List of transitional justice officials finalised
Two major political parties–Nepal Communist Party and Nepali Congress–have finalised chairpersons and members for the two transitional justice mechanisms. Following the agreement, the recommendation committee led by former chief justice Om Prakash Mishra handed over its report to the government on Saturday.
Sources reveal that Ganesh Dutta Bhatta and Yubaraj Subedi have been recommended to lead the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons respectively. Those nominated for the TRC membership include Prachanda Man Pradhan, Govinda Gautam, Mana Dahal and Bishnu Pokharel. Likewise, Bishnu Bhandari, Sunil Ranjan Singh, Ganga Adhikari and Sarita Thapa Magar have been recommended for the CIEDP.
Ignored
Tingla tense over electricity transmission line
Locals of Tingla in Solu Dudhkunda municipality-11 of Solukhumbu district have staged a protest demanding that the government connect the settlement to the national electricity transmission line before connecting the entire district as it was affected by the transmission line. Consequently, the government plan to mark the district’s connection with the national line could not take place on Saturday.
Meanwhile, police opened the fire in the air and lobbed tear gas shells to contain the protest. Some of the demonstrators sustained injuries in the clash. In retaliation, they also torched around one dozen motorbikes and a jeep.
Durbar School reconstruction over
One of the oldest schools of Nepal, Durbar High School, has received a facelift as Chinese contractors completed the reconstruction of its building that was severely damaged in the 2015 earthquake. Authorities say the Chinese government will hand over the building to Nepal after around three weeks once officials of the construction company monitor it.
Though the original appearance of the building has been maintained, modern construction materials have been used in the building now. The reconstruction was completed in 19 months.
Interesting
Public holiday in Province 2 today
The Province 2 government has declared a public holiday in the province for Sunday on the occasion of its ‘Sacrifice Day’. Exactly 13 years ago today, the then Madheshi parties had launched a massive protest in the region, demanding a strong federal system. Ramesh Mahato, a protester, was killed in a clash with police in Lahan of Siraha district on this day that day.
It is the second year that the provincial government is officially celebrating the Sacrifice Day. A special function will be organised in Birgunj of Parsa district today.
