- Sunday, 19 April 2026
Birgunj, Feb 23: An all-party meeting in Parsa on Sunday reached a consensus to ensure that those responsible for the incident in Shreepur of Birgunj metropolis-11, along with the subsequent events, are brought under the ambit of the law.
During a meeting convened at the District Administration Office, led by Chief District Officer Bhola Dahal, it was resolved to expedite the necessary procedures by gathering information from the victims and assisting religious leaders in their efforts to bring the offenders to justice.
CDO Dahal stated that the meeting agreed on taking prompt action in line with cyber laws and existing regulations against the dissemination of inflammatory content, which has gone viral on social media, as well as against hate speech that disrupts religious and social harmony.
Furthermore, the meeting concluded that in the upcoming days, to uphold religious and social harmony, all civil society members, political parties, media representatives, religious and social leaders, and public representatives will be invited to participate in such discussions.
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17- Probe committee formed to investigate into Dhading bus crash
Kathmandu, Feb 23: The government has set up a task force to probe the road incident involving a passenger bus (Ga 2 Ba1421), which led to the death of at least 19 persons with injuries to 25 others.
The bus was carrying passengers from Pokhara to Kathmandu when it met with an accident at Benighat Rorang Municipality-5, Bhainsigouda in Dhading along the Prithvi Highway last night.
Home Ministry spokesperson Anand Kafle announced today that a five-member task force, led by a joint secretary, has been formed to investigate the incident.
This decision was made during a meeting presided over by Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, which included the Home Secretary, the Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, heads of security agencies, the Director General of the Department of Transport, the Director General of the Department of Roads, and officials from the Ministry, along with representatives from the Transport Professionals and Workers Association.
The task force has been instructed to conduct an investigation and provide a report on the bus accident. He stated that 19 out of the 44 passengers on board lost their lives, while 25 others sustained injuries in the incident.
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18- Home Minister Aryal inquires about health condition of Dhading bus accident survivors
Kathmandu, Feb 23: Minister for Home Affairs, Om Prakash Aryal, took stock of the health condition of those injured in last night’s bus accident in Dhading district.
Minister Aryal visited the Nepal National Hospital in Kalanki, Kathmandu and National Trauma Centre in Kathmandu today and acquired information about the survivors of the road accident and their treatment.
On the occasion, the Home Minister stated that the government had accorded high priority to the treatment of the injured ones and urged those undergoing treatment not to have any doubts about it.
He also requested the healthcare professionals at both healthcare facilities to ensure that there is no shortcoming in the treatment of the injured ones.
At least 19 people lost their lives and while 25 others sustained injuries when a passenger bus (Ga 2 Ba 1421) coming from Pokhara to Kathmandu met with an accident at Benighat Rorang Municipality-5, Bhainsigouda in Dhading district along the Prithvi Highway around 1:30 pm last night.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, 19 of the 44 passengers on board the ill-fated bus died while 25 were injured.
Earlier today, a meeting presided over by Home Minister Aryal had decided to prioritize treatment for the injured ones as well as to form an investigation committee to found out the facts and reason behind the road accident.
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19- Curfew lifted, prohibitory order issued in Birgunj
Birgunj (Parsa), Feb 23: The District Security Committee Parsa has lifted the curfew order imposed in Birgunj metropolis area and has instead enforced a prohibitory order.
Chief District Officer Bhola Dahal has said the curfew imposed from 9:45 am today will be limited to a prohibitory order from 4:30 pm.
After an all-party meeting held at the District Administration Office, Parsa, reached a three-point agreement regarding the incident that took place in Shreepur, Birgunj-11 on Sunday, CDO Dahal lifted the curfew order and issued a prohibitory order.
Keeping in mind that the situation has not completely returned to normal, a prohibitory order has been issued in the four forts of Birgunj until 8:00 am on Tuesday.
The prohibitory order prohibits any kind of gathering, procession, demonstration, meeting, or dharna within the boundaries of the Bypass Road in the east, Ranighat Bridge in the west, Powerhouse Chowk in the north, and Ghantaghar Chowk in the south.
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20- EC advises against involvement of children in election campaigns
Kathmandu, Feb 23: The Election Commission (EC) has called on political parties and candidates engaged in the 2082 House of Representatives elections to avoid using children in their election campaigns.
In a statement released today by commission’s spokesperson, Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, the Commission urged that parties or candidates should not involve children in activities such as carrying flags or election symbols, participating in cultural programmes, rallies, or actions directed against specific parties or candidates, nor in showcasing items like vests, T-shirts, or logos that feature flags or election symbols.
The commission has emphasized the importance of refraining from such practices, noting that it has received complaints regarding the involvement of children by political parties or candidates during their election campaigns, as well as organizing election-related events near schools during school hours, which disrupts educational activities.
As per Section 13, Subsection (1), Clause (A) of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082 BS, ‘Children should not be used or made to participate in election campaigns, public meetings, or processions.’
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21- People must have the right to vote freely: UML Chair Oli
Damak (Jhapa), Feb 23: CPN (UML) Chair KP Sharma Oli asserted that voters should have the freedom to cast their votes independently, reiterating that the UML is a strong advocate for peaceful elections.
While speaking at the announcement assembly of the party’s National ‘Volunteer Force’ Koshi Province Committee in Damak today, Oli highlighted the ongoing attempts to disrupt the electoral process, urging the government to guarantee that elections are held fairly and without intimidation.
Reiterating that UML is committed to peaceful politics and stability, he conveyed his belief that the party should now steer the nation towards prosperity and development. Oli, who is also a candidate for the House of Representatives from Jhapa Constituency-5, remarked, “No one should envision the nation’s progress without UML; it is UML that will guide the country forward.”
Emphasizing that the party established the Volunteer Force to bolster the government’s security framework, he clarified that this force was created not only for the elections but also for the enduring security of the country.
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22- Professors, teachers, officials urged not to engage in political parties’ election campaigns
Kathmandu, Feb 23: The Election Commission (EC) has asked the professors, teachers and officials to avoid any sorts of election campaigns favouring the certain political parties and candidates in the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) elections scheduled for March 5.
The EC made such an appeal to the stakeholders issuing a statement on Monday after it received some complaints about the involvement of professors, teachers and officials in the publicity campaigns for political parties and candidates.
The EC’s instruction is in line with the Election Code of Conduct, 2082, which is aimed at holding the election in a free, fair and fearless manner while maintaining transparency.
EC Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said that the EC was monitoring whether the election code of conduct was being implemented by the political parties, candidates and stakeholders.
Clause 16 of the Education Act, 2028 BS and the Election Code of Conduct, 2082 BS clearly bar the teachers and professors and officials to participate in the political campaigns of any political parties and candidates.
The EC has also cautioned the professors, teachers and officials to maintain their decorum, impartiality and legal liabilities and not to participate in the political parties’ and candidates’ election campaigns.
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23- Health workers urged not to be included in the election
Kathmandu, Feb 23: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the Election Commission not to include health workers in the House of Representatives member elections to be held on March 5.
Ministry spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki said that the request has been made to not include health workers considering their need in course of emergencies during the election. “Health workers have to be on standby 24 hours a day, considering the risk of accidents and other emergencies during the election. Therefore, we have urged the Commission not to include health workers in the election.”
The ministry has also urged health workers to be on standby during the election period.
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24- Concern over proposal to abolish trade union
Kathmandu, Feb 23: The Nepal National Teachers’ Association’s national committee has expressed its concern over proposals put forth by some political parties to abolish trade unions, as outlined in their election manifesto ahead of the March 5 election to the House of Representatives.
Issuing a press statement here on Monday, Association’s President, Hansa Bahadur Shahi, cited the Article 34 of the Constitution of Nepal which guarantees every workers the fundamental right to form and join trade unions and to participate in collective bargaining and asserted that such proposals contradict with the constitutional right.
Shahi stated that trade unions are independent, professional and non-partisan bodies established to safeguard workers’ rights.
Furthermore, he reminded that Nepal, as a signatory to various conventions of the International Labour Organization, is obliged to safeguard workers’ rights to organize and bargain collectively.
He argued that any political party advocating the abolition of trade unions or envisaging to restrict their independence cannot be regarded as democratic.
The statement read, “It is an act that contradicts with the Constitution and laws of Nepal as well as various international convention ratified by Nepal. Any political party that proposes abolishment of trade union cannot be regarded as democratic.”
The Association emphasized, “The right to form trade unions and to engage in collective bargaining is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution.”
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25- AI Cell established at Nepal Police Headquarters
Kathmandu, Feb 23: In its bid to counter security threats caused due to misuse of digital technology, the Nepal Police has established ‘AI and Advanced Analytics’ known as AI Cell to deal with the IT sector.
The Nepal Police stated that the AI Cell was set up to keep an eye on disinformation spreading on social networking platforms and manage the contents with surveillances.
Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal inaugurated the AI Cell at the Nepal Police Headquarters on Monday and urged the police officials to regulate fake news especially on election related issues and firmly implement the election code of conducts.
Minister Aryal expressed confidence that the AI Cell would be instrumental to curb untoward activities that could happen through the social sites.
According to the Nepal Police, the AI Cell would work in possible risk reduction and assist in security management by technically empowering Nepal Police.
It is stated that data will be collected from CC cameras installed in sensitive and critical areas and the trends will be analyzed accordingly.
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26- Our party is firm in favour of free, fair and impartial: President Lamichhane
Bagmati, Feb 23: President of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane, has said that his party is firm in favour of fair, impartial and fearless elections.
At a rally organized by the party in Hetauda today, he expressed confidence that the House of Representatives elections to be held on March 5 will be held in a fair, impartial and fearless environment.
Lamichhane also urged everyone to participate in the election, which is a celebration of democracy, and said that the results of the election will be acceptable to them. “No one has the right to run away from the election or disrupt the election. Whatever the people give, we must accept it, no one should deprive the people of their right to vote,” he said.
Expressing his commitment to work for good governance and prosperity if his party forms a government after the election, President Lamichhane said that the country will move forward on its journey of prosperity by maintaining good governance and the rule of law.
RSP candidates Prakash Gautam for Makawanpur Constituency No. 1, and Prashant Upreti for Constituency No. 2 addressed the gathering.
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27- Minister Khanal emphasizes collaborative effort for controlling revenue leakage
Kathmandu, Feb 23: Minister for Finance, Rameshore Khanal, laid emphasis for coordinated and collaborative effort among all stakeholders to more effectively curb revenue leakage.
Addressing a high-level meeting of the Central Revenue Leakage Control Committee at the Nepal Police Headquarters on Monday, Minister Khanal called for effective implementation of the measures aimed at systemic reforms to minimize revenue leakage.
The Minister urged all State agencies to fulfill their roles within their jurisdictions to minimize revenue leakage and increase revenue collection.
Also speaking at the meeting, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Bahadur Karki asserted that revenue leakage control is not merely an economic issue but it is directly linked with the national security, good-governance and prosperity.
IGP Karki mentioned that the Nepal Police had been fulfilling its institutional role in controlling revenue leakage.
Furthermore, he viewed that we could achieve long-term and effective results in revenue leakage control provided there is inter-agency coordination and strategic support in technology, human resources and legal strengthening.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Bishwa Adhikari delivered a presentation on the role of the Nepal Police in controlling revenue leakage and smuggling.
Similarly, Uttam Kumar Khattri, Joint-Secretary the Ministry of Finance, also made a presentation on issues related to revenue mobilization and leakage.
During the meeting, a virtual discussion was held with the Chief of polices in all seven provinces, Chief of police in districts such as Morang, Bara, Chitwan, Banke and Kailali, among others regarding efforts made to control revenue leakage and smuggling.
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