Author: space4knews

On the evening of Chaitra 25 in Pokhara, Sirjana Paudel KC was fatally stabbed with a sharp weapon while walking from Shivalaya Chowk towards Sabha Griha Chowk. Following the incident, her nephew has been arrested, and police are currently searching for another suspect. Investigations indicate that the murder stemmed from family conflicts and inheritance disputes. Further inquiry is ongoing. (Chaitra 27, Pokhara) This horrific event in the bustling market area has shocked many and raised serious questions about security measures. The group fled after stabbing the woman in the neck with a sharp weapon. Sirjana, wounded by the khukuri attack, collapsed and died on the street. The victim, Sirjana Paudel KC of Pokhara–5, was a single woman operating a shoe shop in Prithvi Chowk.

After her elder wife committed suicide by poison, businessman Krishna KC married Sirjana four years ago. Krishna passed away two years ago, leaving Sirjana with a 3-year-old daughter. Police conclude that the murder was fueled by escalating family disputes and inheritance conflicts following her marriage and husband’s death. After evidence implicated her nephew in the crime, the police detained him. The nephew previously had run-ins with law enforcement for drug-related offenses, misconduct, and theft. The nephew was apprehended after attempting to flee on foot with the khukuri; meanwhile, police continue searching for the motorcycle driver involved. Investigations are uncovering further mysteries related to this gruesome murder, to the surprise of even the officers involved.

Sirjana’s husband, who was her companion through life’s joys and sorrows, had passed away two years ago. Their daughter was just one year old when he died and had never known her father. Sirjana was unaware that her life would turn so cruel and heartbreaking. After the elder wife’s suicide, Krishna, a businessman from Malepatan, married Sirjana, pledging lifelong support. However, family disputes and tensions surged following their marriage. After Krishna’s death two years back, conflicts with her late husband’s elder children intensified, prompting Sirjana to file an inheritance case in court.

Krishna, who traded fresh goat meat in Malepatan, owned properties there and in Sedi. Sirjana lived in the Sedi residence and ran a shoe shop on the roadside between Prithvi Chowk and Nagdhunga towards Syangja. On the evening of Wednesday, Chaitra 25, she had closed her shop and was returning towards Sabha Griha Chowk via Shivalaya Chowk when someone struck her neck with a sharp weapon nearby. She collapsed on the street, bleeding heavily from a severe head injury and died at the scene. This brutal act stunned residents of Pokhara and surrounding areas.

Many questions arise as to how a single woman running a small business and raising a 3-year-old daughter was tragically murdered. The absence of extensive CCTV footage at the crime scene posed challenges for identifying suspects, but the police ultimately arrested her own nephew who fled the scene. Preliminary investigations reveal the nephew claimed he committed the murder after feeling insulted and humiliated. Nevertheless, police are probing the possible involvement of other family members. According to police, the suspects had been surveilling Sirjana since daytime and took advantage of diminishing light and closing roadside shutters near Sabha Griha Chowk to carry out the attack.

Three family members have been summoned for questioning. Their statements and the ongoing inheritance issues helped police identify the main suspect. Authorities are examining evidence suggesting a possible conspiracy involving family insiders. The greatest inheritance dispute involved Sirjana’s stepson, who, however, is currently incarcerated on drug charges. Police suspect he may have had a role in the crime given ongoing property disputes between him and Sirjana. The inheritance case remains under judicial consideration.

Krishna’s elder wife had committed suicide by poison before Sirjana became his second wife. “The marriage a year after the elder wife’s death sowed tensions within the family, which eventually led to the suicide,” a police source explained. The family feud intensified after Krishna’s death two years ago. Krishna was a businessman trading fresh meat in Malepatan and had acquired multiple properties in Pokhara. He had two daughters and one son from his first marriage. The son is imprisoned for drug trafficking, one daughter is married, and the other remains unmarried.

Sirjana’s parental family has alleged that family members were involved in the murder and have been pressing police to thoroughly investigate. Authorities held a press conference on Friday afternoon to share further details. SP Naveen Karki stated, “The police have already arrested those involved and investigations are ongoing. New revelations are coming to light.” He added, “We will provide a full update on the case status during the press briefing.”

The 16th National Veterinary Conference commenced in Rupandehi, with the opening ceremony conducted by Lumbini Province Chief Minister Chetanarayan Acharya. Chief Minister Acharya emphasized the need to show greater respect to farmers and veterinary doctors and indicated that the provincial government is prepared to amend discriminatory laws. Over 150 research papers are expected to be presented at the conference, which is believed to significantly contribute to the development of animal health and new technologies.

Under the slogan “A Healthy Path for Sustainable Livestock and Food Security,” the conference began in Manigram, Rupandehi. Chief Minister Acharya highlighted that agriculture and livestock farming are the foundation of Nepal’s sustainable development and self-reliance. He stressed the importance of giving more respect to farmers and veterinary doctors who treat livestock and poultry. He stated, “Only medical doctors who treat humans receive respect, but the mindset of not respecting farmers and veterinarians who tend to cows, buffaloes, and goats that provide milk, meat, and dung is incorrect.”

Noting the necessity to change the government’s perspective toward animal health professionals and veterinary manpower, Chief Minister Acharya also announced the provincial government’s readiness to reform discriminatory laws. He underscored the need to encourage veterinary professionals and emphasized the requirement for serious efforts in this sector. At the conference, Dr. Kedar Suvedi, President of the Nepal Veterinary Association, reiterated the long-standing demand to grant veterinary doctors the same status and service benefits as medical doctors.

President Suvedi highlighted complaints regarding inequality and discrimination towards his profession, stating the government has not given the expected priority in policies and budgets. He urged that experts from the Nepal Veterinary Association must be involved in policymaking and that suggestions from specialists should be considered while amending laws like the Drug Act and the Veterinary Council Act. Present at the event were Prof. Dr. Sharda Thapaliya, Vice Chancellor of Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur Chitwan; Dr. Ramanandan Tiwari, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development; and Dr. Teerth Regmi, Country Director of Heifer International. They pointed out that although livestock farming is a strong pillar of the country’s economic prosperity, it does not receive priority in policies, programs, or budgets at any of the three government levels. They recommended prioritizing this sector and increasing investment in encouraging veterinary manpower and new research and innovation.

The conference will feature more than 150 research papers along with group discussions. It is expected to make a significant contribution to the advancement of animal health, research, and new technologies in Nepal.

The Bagmati Province government is preparing to carry out administrative restructuring before drafting the budget for the fiscal year 2082/83. Chief Minister Indrabahadur Baniya has proposed a plan to establish seven ministries and reduce 701 staff positions. A committee of former secretaries has recommended that eight ministries, including the Chief Minister’s Office, are necessary, and has advised limiting the number of directorates.

The Bagmati Province government is conducting intensive discussions and internal preparations for provincial administrative restructuring. Ahead of the upcoming fiscal year’s budget formulation, the government plans to prioritize administrative restructuring. The ruling Nepali Congress held discussions on Thursday evening with its coalition partner, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), concerning restructuring matters. Chief Minister Baniya has proposed maintaining seven ministries outside the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers office, consolidating seven directorates into two under these ministries, and abolishing five directorates altogether, alongside cutting 701 staff positions.

Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning, Prabhat Tamang, informed that during Thursday’s talks between the UML and Nepali Congress, consensus was reached on the number of ministries and the administrative structure. The Nepali Congress had decided in a parliamentary party meeting on 17 Chaitra to abolish certain ministries and subordinate bodies. Minister Tamang clarified that budget ceilings will only be established after the restructuring is completed. He stated, “Since the budget ceiling will be finalized only after restructuring, there might be some delay, but I am urging that the process be expedited.”

The Provincial Administrative Restructuring Review and Suggestion Committee, comprising former secretaries, submitted its report on 27 Falgun recommending the necessity of eight ministries including the Chief Minister’s office. The high-level steering committee, formed on 11 Kartik, had created an expert team of former secretaries from the Government of Nepal. The government led by Chief Minister Baniya formed a high-level steering committee chaired by Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Madhusudan Paudel, to oversee administrative restructuring.

Coordinator Paudel stated that the committee has sent correspondence to all provincial ministries and related committees of the provincial assembly requesting suggestions within 15 days, by 7 Baishakh. He also informed that after receiving these suggestions, the government will make the necessary decisions regarding restructuring.

The Nepal Veterinary Association (NVA) awarded former president Dr. Sitalkaji Shrestha with the NVBA National Honorary Award 2026 during its 16th national conference. The event, held in Tilottama, Rupandehi, saw Lumbini Province Chief Minister Chetan Narayan Acharya present the award to Dr. Shrestha. Dr. Shrestha has played a pivotal role in including veterinary services in the list of essential public services and is also credited with establishing the SAARC Regional Veterinary Association.

On 27 Chaitra in Kathmandu, former NVA president Dr. Sitalkaji Shrestha received national-level honorary recognition. The Nepal Veterinary Association conferred the NVBA National Honorary Award 2026 upon him during its two-day 16th national conference beginning on 27 Chaitra in Tilottama, Rupandehi. The award was presented by Lumbini Province Chief Minister Chetan Narayan Acharya.

Dr. Shrestha’s contributions to the veterinary profession in Nepal have been highly significant within a short period. This award acknowledges his efforts, especially in enhancing Nepal’s veterinary role on both national and international platforms. Notably, Dr. Shrestha was the youngest individual ever elected as president in the association’s 60-year history and uniquely completed three consecutive terms over seven years. He also took the initiative to establish the SAARC Regional Veterinary Association. Additionally, the association honored Dr. Bhuminanda Devkota, a professor at the Agriculture and Forestry University, for his notable contributions to animal breeding.