Police arrested Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) leader Uma Bhujel from Balaju in Kathmandu on charges arson on April 28, reports Kathmandu Post. Police informed that Bhujel was arrested for her involvement in the arson of tripper and generator of crusher operator Kunsang Lama some five months ago.
Meanwhile, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) officials said its work will be bogged down deeper since the Government hasn’t released funds necessary for the probe, reports Kathmandu Post on August 29. Forty days after the new fiscal year, the TRC has received budget enough only for the salary of its staff while there is no money to cover their travel expenses or payments for the services of experts investigating the cases. The commission’s total budget for the current fiscal year is Rs117 million, which includes salary, travel costs, and a stipend for employees, as well as allowances for the victims who need to travel to the TRC offices to record statements. The commission has seven offices at the provincial level and a central office in Kathmandu. The Government released Rs37.70 million from the state coffers in mid-July, while agreeing to transfer Rs80 million granted by Germany to the Peace Fund. However, officials at the commission say there has been no progress in transferring the money received from Berlin. “Our provincial offices have been doing nothing but administrative works since July 17. Investigation is impossible without travel, and we don’t have money for it,” Lila Udasi Khanal, a member of the commission, told.