Nepal still clueless about 4,552 inmates who fled amid Gen-Z unrest
Kathmandu, Dec 3: Over 4,500 inmates who escaped during the Gen-Z protests in Nepal in early September remain at large, Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal said. During the protests on September 8-9, nearly 15,000 prisoners fled after attacks on several jails amid widespread lawlessness, and hundreds of weapons and around 100,000 rounds of ammunition were looted. So far, 727 guns have been recovered. With Nepal’s House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5, authorities are concerned about the potential misuse of escapees and stolen arms. Aryal assured that the government is actively re-arresting fugitives and recovering weapons, aiming to prevent any disruption to the polls, though some escapees have reportedly resumed criminal activities.. (IANS)
Afghan teen pulls trigger in Taliban-organised public execution
KABUL, Dec 3: In Khost, Afghanistan, tens of thousands witnessed a public execution carried out by the Taliban, where a 13-year-old boy, Abdul Rahman’s relative, fired the fatal shots. The victim, accused of killing the boy’s family members, was given a chance for pardon, which the boy refused. Taliban officials handed him the weapon, forcing him to execute the man in the central stadium. The event, held on Tuesday, drew an estimated crowd of 80,000 and was heavily publicized beforehand, with notices encouraging residents to attend, highlighting the regime’s use of public executions and involving children in acts of lethal retribution. (Agencies)
Myanmar poll candidate detained: Report
BANGKOK, Dec 3: A Myanmar election candidate, Wai Lin Htet of the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party, was detained by a local resistance group ahead of the December 28 polls, marking the first such pre-election action. The Magway region, a resistance stronghold since the 2021 military takeover, has seen clashes between armed opposition forces, including the People’s Defence Force, and the army. Critics call the election a sham to legitimize military rule. Authorities are seeking the arrest of the three detainers under a new electoral law. The party, contesting nationwide with 580 candidates, did not comment on the incident due to safety concerns.(AP)
India boosts aid to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka
COLOMBO, Dec 3: India has intensified its humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu following Cyclone Ditwah, which caused widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage, leaving 479 dead and 350 missing. Indian teams conducted large-scale evacuations, delivering relief to remote areas, rescuing the injured, and airlifting supplies using IAF helicopters. A modular field hospital with 73 medical personnel was deployed to provide urgent healthcare. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India’s support. The initiative underscores strong bilateral ties and aims to assist Sri Lanka in recovery and relief efforts across the most affected districts. (PTI)
