KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PM–Finance Minister power tussle? Wagle launches industry consultations after Balen’s private sector outreach
A fresh round of consultations by Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle with industrialists has reignited speculation of a growing power struggle between him and Prime Minister Balendra Shah, after the finance ministry remained absent from the prime minister’s recent engagements with the private sector. Since the third week of Asar, Prime Minister Balen has held a series of meetings with representatives from 12 different sectors of the economy. Most of the issues raised during those discussions—including taxation, investment, industrial policy and budget implementation—fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance and its affiliated agencies. However, neither Finance Minister Wagle nor officials from the finance ministry participated in the prime minister’s consultations.
RSP voices concern over Sunsari unrest, Rabi says violence cannot resolve disputes
The ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has expressed serious concern over the communal tension and violence in Kaptanganj and other parts of Sunsari district. In a statement, party chair Rabi Lamichhane said the entire party was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the incident and the tense situation that followed. The party extended condolences to the family of the person who lost their life and wished a speedy and full recovery to all civilians and security personnel injured in the clashes. Stressing that no dispute or grievance can be resolved through violence or confrontation, RSP said Nepal’s greatest strength lies in its pluralistic culture, social harmony, mutual unity and longstanding tradition of tolerance.
Sunsari CDO: We have avoided using force to prevent casualties
Sunsari Chief District Officer (CDO) Ishwori Prasad Aryal has said the administration has refrained from using force despite escalating tensions following the violence in Kaptanganj of Dewanganj Rural Municipality-3. The unrest, which began after a clash between two communities on Sunday night, has spread from Dewanganj to the district headquarters of Inaruwa and areas along the East-West Highway. Local residents reported incidents of vandalism, arson and assaults in the Koshi embankment area on Tuesday. Speaking to journalists after assuming office on Tuesday, Aryal said the administration’s top priority was to prevent any further loss of life.
India extends invitation to Prime Minister Balen Shah for official visit
India has extended an invitation to Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra (Balen) Shah for an official visit, according to the spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Speaking at a press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that an invitation had been sent to the Nepali prime minister. During the same briefing, Jaiswal said the ministry was not aware of reports that an adviser to Nepal’s prime minister had visited India as a special envoy. Responding to a question from journalists, he said the ministry had no information regarding the reported visit by a special representative from Nepal.
Kulman Ghising criticises adviser appointments, says ministries sidelining civil servants
Ujyalo Nepal Party has accused the current government of focusing more on publicity than addressing the country’s economic challenges. Announcing the decisions of the party’s central committee meeting at a press conference in Kathmandu on Tuesday, the party said the government should prioritise restoring public confidence and optimism in the economy rather than pursuing what it described as publicity-driven initiatives. The party said it would continue to support government policies and decisions that serve the public interest, while strongly opposing decisions it considers anti-public, poor governance, institutional weaknesses, the protection of corruption and irresponsible conduct in the administration of the state.
Health Ministry to reactivate security committee amid rising attacks on health workers
The Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene is preparing to reactivate the Health Worker and Health Institution Security Coordination Committee, which has remained largely inactive for years, in response to the growing number of attacks on health workers and incidents of vandalism at health facilities. The ministry said the process has begun to regularly operate the committee, which was established under Section 5 of the Health Worker and Health Institution Security Act, to address security-related issues affecting health workers and medical institutions. The decision comes as attacks on health personnel and damage to hospital property have increased in recent months. Under the law, the committee is responsible for approving and implementing security plans and programmes for health workers and health institutions, coordinating with the Ministry of Home Affairs and other relevant agencies, recommending security policies to the government, investigating or facilitating investigations into incidents that threaten the safety of health workers and institutions, and assisting with related inquiries.
Opposition tells Speaker protests will continue until PM clarifies border issue
Opposition parties represented in the House of Representatives have urged Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal to ensure regular question-and-answer sessions with the prime minister, saying lawmakers have numerous issues that require direct responses from the government. The demand was raised during a meeting on Tuesday at Singha Durbar, where Speaker Aryal held discussions with chief whips and whips of parliamentary parties to prepare for the upcoming House session. Following the meeting, Nepali Congress Chief Whip Basana Thapa said discussions focused on preparing a parliamentary calendar and ensuring the House functions in a more orderly and dignified manner. She said the opposition would continue its protests until the prime minister provides a clear response on the border dispute.
Indefinite curfew imposed along East-West Highway and Inaruwa market in Sunsari
The Sunsari District Administration Office has imposed an indefinite curfew in sensitive areas of the district following the deteriorating security situation triggered by the Kaptanganj incident. The curfew came into effect at 3:30 pm on Tuesday and will remain in force until further notice, the administration said. According to a notice signed by Chief District Officer Ishwori Prasad Aryal, the order has been issued under Section 6(a) of the Local Administration Act, 1971 (2028 BS) to maintain law and order. The curfew covers the area along the East-West Highway from Pakali Chowk in the east to the Koshi Barrage bridgein the west, extending 200 metres on both the northern and southern sides of the highway. The entire Inaruwa market area has also been placed under curfew.
Senior Nepali Congress leader Gopal Man Shrestha passes away
Senior Nepali Congress leader Gopal Man Shrestha has passed away while undergoing treatment at Helios Hospital in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur. The Nepali Congress confirmed Shrestha’s death on Tuesday. According to the party, his body will be kept at the Nepali Congress central office from 8:00 am to 11:00 am on Wednesday to allow party leaders, supporters and the public to pay their final respects. Following the tribute programme, a funeral procession will take the body to Pashupati Aryaghat in Kathmandu, where the final rites will be performed, the party said.
Tensions escalate across Sunsari after Dewanganj violence
Tensions have spread to several parts of Sunsari following the violent clash in Kaptanganj of Dewanganj Rural Municipality-3 on Sunday night, with reports of arson, vandalism, looting and assaults emerging from different areas. According to local residents, shops in the Koshi Katan area were vandalised and set on fire, while looting was also reported at some locations. Protesters blocked the East-West Highway and burned tyres on several roads during demonstrations. In response, the local administration imposed a curfew in the Dewanganj area and deployed security personnel to restore order. Residents also reported heightened tensions in Bhokraha Narsingh Rural Municipality, where groups of youths from two different communities allegedly hurled stones at each other in wards 5, 6 and 7. Locals claimed the affected area lies away from the main market, delaying the arrival of security forces.
Inaruwa declares two-day mourning leave after Sunsari clash; Morang bans DJ use
Inaruwa Municipality has announced a two-day local mourning holiday following the violent incident at Kaptanganj Bazaar of Dewanganj Rural Municipality–3, Sunsari, on July 26. Issuing a notice on Tuesday, the municipality said the mourning holiday would be observed on July 28 and 29 at the municipal office, all ward offices, community, institutional and religious schools, health institutions (except emergency services), and other offices under the municipality. The municipality has urged citizens to maintain social harmony, mutual respect, religious tolerance, and communal unity following the incident. Meanwhile, the Morang District Administration Office has imposed a ban on the use of DJ sound systems across the district after tensions escalated in Sunsari.
Two more arrested in Tribhuvan University exam paper leak case
Police have arrested two more individuals in connection with the alleged leak of a Master of Business Studies (MBS) first-semester examination paper under Tribhuvan University. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police said the arrests were made as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged breach of examination paper confidentiality under the Education Act, 1971 (2028 BS). The suspects have been identified as Atul Kumar Mishra, 25, of Rajdevi Municipality-4, Rautahat, and Abdul Sani Hakim, 31, originally from Lipanimal-1, Bara, who is currently residing in Birgunj Metropolitan City-21, Parsa. According to the CIB, Mishra was arrested from Tahachal in Kathmandu Metropolitan City-13 on July 26 (Shrawan 10), while Hakim was arrested the following day from Birgunj Metropolitan City-8.
Narayani Hospital doctors submit mass resignation over assault and vandalism
Doctors working at Narayani Hospital, Birgunj have submitted mass resignations in protest against vandalism at the hospital and the assault on medical personnel. The doctors took the decision after their demands, including the resignation of the Chief District Officer and District Police Chief (SP) of Parsa, were not addressed. They had accused the administration of failing to take action against those involved in the attack and of mistreating doctors during subsequent discussions. According to Dr Uday Narayan Singh, a doctor at Narayani Hospital, around 40 out of approximately 70 doctors working at the hospital have already submitted their resignations to Medical Superintendent Dr Chittaranjan Shah.
Microfinance victims begin indefinite hunger strike in Kathmandu
Victims of alleged microfinance-related exploitation have begun an indefinite hunger strike at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu, escalating their protest against the government. The protesters, who staged a “Capital March” on Sunday to draw the government’s attention to their demands, launched the hunger strike on Tuesday morning. They have called on the government to make public and implement previous reports related to the microfinance sector. The protesters are also demanding an end to what they describe as financial exploitation of borrowers by microfinance institutions, banks and other financial institutions. Their demands include scrapping high and compound interest rates, as well as penalties and various service charges imposed under different headings.
Over 11,000 patients affected as doctors halt OPD over assault on Narayani Hospital physician
More than 11,000 patients have been affected after health workers shut down outpatient department (OPD) services at major hospitals in Chitwan in protest against the serious assault on a doctor working at Narayani Hospital, Birgunj. The protest followed an attack on Dr Pramod Ram, a medical officer at Narayani Hospital, who was seriously injured after the family of a patient who died during treatment accused doctors of negligence. The patient, Raj Kumar Patel of Birgunj Metropolitan City–25, died during treatment on Saturday. His family and relatives have alleged that the death occurred due to medical negligence.
Trichandra student union chief urges Supreme Court to adopt India’s Lyngdoh Committee model for student politics
Govinda Koirala, president of the Free Students’ Union (FSU) at Trichandra Multiple Campus, has urged Nepal’s Supreme Court to constitute an independent committee modeled on India’s Lyngdoh Committee to resolve the ongoing legal dispute over student politics. In a video message released on social media, Koirala argued that student politics cannot be shaped through unilateral government directives, stressing that students are stakeholders who deserve meaningful dialogue and consensus in decisions affecting their future. He said government decisions on student politics have failed to create a sense of ownership among students. “A government may abolish or restrict student politics through an executive directive today, while another government may restore it tomorrow,” Koirala said. “This is not a matter of a temporary political decision but of the long-term future and ownership of the country’s education sector.”
Govt moves to give Law Commission sole authority to draft bills
The government has initiated the process of amending the Nepal Law Commission Act, 2006, to assign the Nepal Law Commission full responsibility for drafting all government bills. The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs has issued a public notice inviting suggestions on the proposed amendment within seven days. Members of the public can submit their feedback through the ministry’s online portal at lawfeedback.moljpa.gov.np. According to Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam, the amendment aims to end the practice of hiring external consultants or institutions to prepare draft legislation.
Dry landslide blocks Mugling-Narayangadh highway, traffic suspended
Vehicular movement along the Mugling-Narayangadh highway has been completely disrupted after a dry landslide struck near Mugling Bazaar in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality-5 of Chitwan on Tuesday morning. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Chandra Bhushan Yadav of the Chitwan District Police Office, the landslide occurred suddenly, forcing authorities to halt traffic in both directions. Police said coordination is underway with the Department of Roads to clear the debris and reopen the highway. Authorities estimate it will take at least two hours to remove the landslide and restore traffic.
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