Leftist students have been destroying video cassettes of Indian actor Hritik Roshan's movies and stopping screening of his films in various parts of the kingdom protesting what they claim are derogatory about Nepal and Nepalese. The actor reportedly said that he disliked Nepal and Nepalese the most in response to a question which nation and nationality he most detested over a television network. Protest reports have been received from Kathmandu, Makwanpur and Biratnagar so far. Cassettes were destroyed in the Thali area of the capital Sunday. President of the Thali Youth Federation Yogendra Shrestha said his organization would prevent the screening of films in which Roshan has acted.
Students plan further protests by burning cassettes and postcards.
A Maoist was shot and seriously wounded Saturday while fleeing after an attempted robbery at a home in Vhasedwa village in Gaur, police said. About two dozen rebels lifted the body and fled from the scene of the clash. Villagers chased the group after the insurgents raided the home of Chandra Mohoto and set fire to his motorcycle in the evening. Meanwhile, Maoists released Shyam Kashyap last week after nearly six weeks of abduction from a village in Argakachi district, police said. Gurkha veterans of the British army Sunday will hold an international human rights conference in the Nepali capital from March 9 to 11 after deciding to continue a five-year peaceful protests as a legal and human rights issue.