- Tuesday, 5 May 2026
Kathmandu, May 2: Demolition of concrete houses built by encroaching public land has begun in Devinagar, located in the Dhobi Khola area of Kathmandu Metropolitan City-10.
The demolition of the houses and huts build on public land has begun from today, shared Bishnu Joshi, Chief of the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Force. This is part of the campaign to remove encroached settlements on the banks of the Bagmati and its tributaries in the valley.
The government removed the unorganized settlements on the banks of the river in Balkhu and Kalimati areas on Friday. So far, more than two thousand houses and huts built by encroaching on government, public and private land in the Kathmandu Valley have been removed, according to the Metropolitan Police.
During the removal of the settlements, the affected families have been sent to the holding center, while the records of landless families are being collected by the concerned government authorities at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwor.
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13- Markets in Birgunj bustling after tightening of the border
Birgunj (Parsa), May 2: Overall trade and transaction has decreased in Birgunj along with the government tightening customs. The government recently imposed a system of taxing for any goods worth more than 100 rupees brought from across the border.
The number of customers in Birgunj market has gradually increased, say businesspersons in Birgunj. “The number of customers has gradually increased in shops in Birgunj leading to a lot of improvement in business,” Jayaprakash Khetan, the owner of JP Enterprises, who has been running a clothing shop in Ardashnagar, Birgunj, said.
Likewise, Rishi Keshari, who has been running a grocery shop in Mina Bazaar, said that customers have increased in the Birgunj market since the tightening of customs regulations. “Since the tightening of customs regulations began, our business has increased by about 25 percent. If we can stop illegal trade from across the border area, we expect business to increase by 50 percent compared to before,” Keshari said.
After the Division Road Hetauda demolished the encroached structures on the main road of Birgunj, the market here has now increased in Ardashnagar and Link Road.
According to the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, about 1,000 traders and businesspersons have been displaced due to the road expansion. The employment of about 9,000 people has also been affected directly or indirectly.
Information Officer at the Birgunj Customs Office, Uday Singh Bista, said that informal imports will decrease as the government tightens the border area. “Informal imports from border towns are decreasing to some extent, and we expect it to be easier to control smuggling,” he said.
Tightening the border area has also helped in controlling illegal money transactions (hundi). The flow of drugs from the border area is also being reduced to some extent.
Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Hari Prasad Gautam said that the current policy of taxing goods brought from outside the country has reduced the number of people coming to Raxaul from Simara, Hetauda and Chitwan.
Armed Police Force Nepal No. 13 Battalion Headquarters Parsa, Chief and Superintendent of Armed Police Mohan Bahadur Chhetri said that efforts are being made to control illegal smuggling and export by deploying the Armed Police in the border area.
According to the Birgunj Customs Office, goods and merchandise worth Rs 694.5 billion have been imported in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. The office has collected Rs 177.66 billion in revenue during the period. Similarly, goods and merchandise worth Rs 79.54 billion have been exported to various countries through this checkpoint in the first nine months of the current fiscal year.
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14- Government’s commitment to improve road safety
Kathmandu, May 2: The government has stated that it is committed to policy and structural reforms in the road safety system across the country.
Expressing grief over the incident that claimed the lives of 20 people in a road accident in Thawang Rural Municipality-1, Rolpa last Thursday, the government has said that it will immediately implement the report of the accident investigation committee.
The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has issued a press release today stating that it will immediately implement the findings and suggestions of the report to be presented by the committee formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, currently led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah.
The term of the committee formed under the coordination of the Superintendent of Police of the Lumbini Province Police Office is ending today. In the statement, the Government has also expressed the commitment to act firmly in improving technical and human weaknesses as road accidents are a sensitive issue related to the lives and future of citizens and their loved ones.
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16- Efforts underway to protect Kamdi Biological Corridor in Banke
Ranjha (Banke), May 2: Conservation efforts have commenced targeting the Kamdi Biological Corridor in Banke. Increasing human encroachment on the corridor has posed a serious threat to the area, prompting the need for its conservation.
Senior Forest Officer Sushil Subedi of the Division Forest Office, Banke, said the corridor, which serves as a transit route for wildlife movement along the Nepal-India border, was fragmented in several places due to the expansion of human settlements, deforestation, and encroachment.
Tree transplantation has been prioritized as part of efforts to protect the corridor.
As part of the conservation initiatives, around 100 hectares of land in Raptisonari-6 and along the Gulari Community Forest area has been cleared of encroachment and secured with fencing and tree transplantation.
The previously fragmented corridor is now being reconnected. The corridor consists of 18 community forests and two block forests. A wildlife habitat improvement programme has also begun.
The Division Forest Office, Banke, in coordination with the Integrated Landscape Management (ILaM) Project, has implemented programs aimed at grassland management, the construction of artificial water ponds, and habitat restoration. Recently, 15 artificial water ponds have been built along the corridor, which stretches across an area of around 450 square kilometers. The route is connected to the Suhelva Wildlife Sanctuary in India.
During the conservation efforts, bush species have been replaced with plantations of native plant species such as Sal (Shorea robusta), Khayar (cutch tree), and Asana (Kino tree), among others.
The initiatives have also emphasized improving the livelihoods of local people and promoting sustainable forest management. Mitigating potential human-wildlife conflict, fostering forest-based entrepreneurship, and promoting enterprises such as Duna and Tapari (leaf plate) production have also been focused, it is said.
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17- President Paudel endorses three ordinances
Kathmandu, May 2: President Ramchandra Paudel has, in accordance with Article 114 of the Constitution of Nepal and on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, issued three ordinances.
According to the Office of the President, Ordinance to amend some Nepal Acts related to health science institutes, 2083 BS, Ordinance on Special Provisions regarding the dismissal of public officials, 2083 BS and the Ordinance to amend some Nepal Acts related to universities, 2083 BS have been issued today.
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18- Govt committed to addressing issues of freed Kamaiyas, Minister Chaudhary says
Kanchanpur, May 2: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, and Forest and Environment Gita Chaudhary has said that the government was committed to resolving the fundamental issues of the members of the freed Kamaiyas.
At a programme organized here today by the Kanchanpur District Committee of Freed Kamaiyas Society, Minister Chaudhary said the government will support the members of the freed Kamaiyas, Haliya and other bondage labours in their struggles for rights.
Minister Chaudhary also said that she would work for the cause of this community by being more responsible and said she too belongs to the same community. “Your issues are mine too. I am familiar with such concerns. So, the government and I are with you in this struggle for rights,” she added.
During the programme, Members of the House of Representatives (HoR) Kripa Ram Rana and Gyanendra Singh Mahat stated that the challenges faced by the free Kamaiyas should be addressed and the government should be serious about their judicious rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, Minister Chaudhary visited the Daiji Chhela Industrial Estate at Bedkot Municipality in the district today.
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19- NCP to conduct general convention from Nov 27 to Dec 1
Kathmandu, May 2: The Nepali Communist Party (NCP) has declared that it will hold its unity general convention in Kathmandu from November 27 to December 1, 2026.
The meeting, led by coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, took place in the federal capital on Saturday, made this decision.
As per a press release from party spokesperson Prakash Jwala, a campaign for party membership renewal and expansion will be carried out until mid-August in preparation for the national gathering.
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20- Postal Highway blocked as flood swept away Kamala River diversion
Siraha, May 2: A temporary diversion built in the Kamala River, which connects Siraha and Dhanusha districts, was swept away in a flood occurred following a heavy rainfall. The diversion, constructed as a makeshift bridge currently under construction for the Postal Highway, was swept away by the flood on Saturday morning. As a result, hundreds of vehicles and passengers are stranded on the road, the police said.
The diversion was repaired and reopened some days ago after the diversion witnessed damages. Assistant Chief District Officer Chetraj Baral said that the water flow in the river is still high and maintenance works for now are unlikely.
The local residents have witnessed hardships for a long time due to delays in the bridge construction over the Kamala River.
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21- Nepal Embassy in Muscat marks Buddha Jayanti, International Labour Day
Kathmandu, May 2: The Embassy of Nepal in Muscat organized a Labour awareness and Trade, Export and Investment Promotion event on May 1, marking the special occasions of the 2570th Buddha Jayanti and International Labour Day.
The event focused on information dissemination and interaction related to community initiatives to promote export and investment, labour awareness, celebration of Buddha Jayanti and International Labour Day, the Embassy of Nepal in Muscat stated in a statement.
A total of 78 participants including representatives of Nepali Social Club, members of the expert group, Nepali business persons, rescue team members and Nepali community members attended the event.
On the occasion, Nepal’s Ambassador to Oman Dornath Aryal highlighted the significance of Buddha Jayanti and teachings of Lord Buddha, the importance of labour awareness, and the need to explore opportunities in trade, export, and investment between Nepal and Oman.
A brief meditation session was also organized to mark the Buddha Jayanti.
Likewise, a handbook titled “Shramik ko Saathi (Labour’s Friend)” was released by Ambassador Aryal.
The handbook provides essential information and guidance to Nepali workers regarding safe and dignified employment in Oman. An interactive session was also held, during which participants discussed emerging issues concerning the Nepali community in Oman, the Nepal Embassy mentioned.
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22- Nepal Embassy observes Buddha Jayanti in Pakistan
Kathmandu, May 2: The Embassy of Nepal, in coordination with the Embassies and High Commissions of Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Vietnam, and in collaboration with the government of Punjab, Pakistan, organized a programme on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti on May 1. The programme consisted of events at the Dharmarajika Stupa and the Taxila Museum in Pakistan, according to the Embassy of Nepal in Pakistan.
In the Taxila Museum, Ambassador Rita Dhital stated that Buddhist heritage sites are premier pilgrimage destinations for over 500 million people globally, offering significant potential for spiritual, cultural, and educational tourism. She stressed that the development of infrastructure to connect South Asian Buddhist sites, which would foster socio-economic development for local communities while allowing visitors to practice mindfulness and researchers to study Buddhist philosophy.
Furthermore, she mentioned that the joint celebration by the High Commission of Sri Lanka and the Embassies of Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Nepal underscores Buddhism as a unifying cultural and spiritual link across Asia, promoting universal values of peace, compassion, and the pursuit of wisdom, the Embassy of Nepal mentioned in a press statement.
Earlier, spiritual activities were organized at the Dharmarajika Stupa including circumambulation and sermons by venerable monks from Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, Federal Minister of National Heritage and Culture was the Chief Guest of the programme and Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Minister for Minorities Affairs, Punjab, Pakistan, also participated in the programme.
A number of high-level officials from the federal and provincial government of Pakistan, Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps as well as other prominent personalities attended the event.
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23- Huts built by encroaching upon land being demolished at Tilganga Pashupati Area
Kathmandu, May 2: The government has continued demolition of squatters’ huts and houses by evacuating the illegal dwellers at various public places, especially from the riverbank in the Kathmandu Valley.
The buildings, huts and other structures built illegally by encroaching upon public land are being demolished at Tilganga Pashupati Area in Kathmandu Metropolitan City-9.
Chief of Metropolitan Police Force Bishnu Joshi confirmed that the huts and other structures are being bulldozed from this evening.
The Metropolitan Police Force shared that they are working to clear the huts and other illegally built infrastructures at Swyambhu, Balaju, Gongabu Buspark, Devinagar and other areas.
The authorities cleared the sites at Balkhu and Kalimati on Friday.
So far, more than 2,000 illegally built buildings, huts and other structures have been demolished in the Kathmandu Valley.
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24- NC CWC to meet on Monday
Patan (Lalitpur), May 2: The Central Work Execution Committee meeting of the opposition Nepali Congress is to be held on Monday. According to the Acting Chief Secretary of the NC Central Office, Krishna Prasad Dulal, the meeting would take place at the party Central Office, Sanepa, Lalitpur on Monday.
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25- Structures demolished at Balkhu are not of ancient origin: Archeology Department
Rastriya Samachar Samaiti (RSS)
Kathmandu, May 2: The Department of Archeology has made it clear that the temples and monasteries that were demolished while clearing the structures built by encroaching upon the public lands in Kathmandu are not of ancient significance.
Saubhagya Pradhananga, the Director General of the Department, told the RSS that the temples demolished during the clearance of such buildings in the Balkhu squatter settlement area were the recent ones and privately owned. He stated that the Department is focused on preserving only those structures that possess historical, religious and cultural significance and are over 100 years old.
“The Department does not safeguard new or private structures that were constructed 10 to 15 years ago,” he added.
Director General Pradhananga noted that no evidence of ancient importance was confirmed in the demolished structures during the on-site inspection in the Balkhu area.
However, two idols and an amorphous stone were located at the site. “It was a newly constructed structure coated with cement, and no ancient architectural features were visible,” he remarked.
Pradhananga further mentioned that there has been a growing trend of building new temples and religious infrastructures for the purposes of social unity or identity.
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26- Eight dead in separate road accidents
Kathmandu, May 2: Eight people were killed in separate road accidents taken place in different districts in the country.
The Nepal Police stated that the road accidents happened in Sunsari, Sarlahi, Bara, Kaski, Nawalparasi Purva, Kanchanpur, Dhanusha and Bardiya claimed eight lives.
A cyclist of around 50 years was killed of Duhabi Municipality-2 in Sunsari district after a bus hit him on Saturday.
According to police, Ansu Bhattarai, 6, of Lalbandi Municipality-4 in Sarlahi district, Dahaura Devi Mahato, 70, of Kalaiya Sub-Metropolitan City-24 in Bara district and Sushma Ale, 6, of Annapurna Rural Municipality-9 in Kaski district were killed after being hit by vehicles.
Nisha Kumal, 36, of Hupsekot Rural Municipality-3 in Nawalparasi Purva district died after a truck and scooter collided head on.
Similarly, motorcyclist Bibash Chunara, 14, of Dodhara Chandani-1 in Kanchanpur district died on the spot after a tipper hit the motorcycle, the Nepal Police added.
Likewise, Krishna Mandal, 14, of Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City-21 and Najiya Sai, 8, of Gulariya Municipality-11 in Bardiya district died in the road mishaps.
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27- Tribhuvan Army Club enters finals of Women’s Gold Cup football tournament
Kaski, May 2: The Tribhuvan Army Club of the Nepali Army’s departmental team entered the finals of Women’s Gold Cup football tournament in Pokhara. Under the organization of RS Pokhara Football Club, the team Nepal Army reached the final by defeating Sankata Club by 4-2 in the match that started on Thursday at the Pokhara Stadium.
The Nepal Army maintained a 1-0 lead in the first half of the game and managed to score three more goals in the second half. Chandra Bhandari scored two goals, Deepa Shahi and Hima Chaudhary scored one each for Nepal Army’s victory.
On behalf of Sankata, two foreign players Queenbel Aamnarah and Licia LJ Mocambique scored one each goal.
With this victory, the Nepal Army will face the team Nepal Police in the finals on Sunday. The Nepal Police Club had earlier defeated the host RS Pokhara Football Club by 8-0 and entered the finals. The champion team of the tournament will receive a trophy, medal and certificate along with a cash prize of five lakh rupees.
The runner-up will get a prize of Rs. Similarly, the best player will receive a cash prize of Rs 30,000 and the best goalkeeper and top scorer will receive a cash prize of Rs 15,000. According to RS Pokhara, the organizer will get Rs 25,000 for the disciplined team.
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