Farmers and local authorities have tried everything to protect their crops—planting fruit trees in forests, cutting down trees near fields, firing guns to scare animals, and guarding farms all day—but nothing seems to work.

Most of them focus on infrastructure, agriculture and the social safety net.

Rains and snowfalls have affected normal life in various parts of the country.

Seven persons died and 12 others were injured, some of them critically, in two separate road accidents in Palpa and Udayapur districts on Thursday night.

The ongoing countrywide indefinite strike called by drivers protesting against the recent amendments to the Motor Vehicle and Transport Management Act has crippled routine life in the country for the last four days.

A nationwide banda enforced by the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) on Sunday was marked by sporadic incidents of arson and explosion in some places.

Provinces 2, 5, 6 and 7 held the first meeting of their assemblies on Sunday. The maiden Provincial Assembly sessions were concluded by announcing the speaker election and endorsing their working procedures.

Preparations are in full swing for convening the historic provincial assemblies in provinces 2, 5, 6 and 7 on Sunday.

Provincial Assembly members took the oath of office in all the seven provinces on Sunday.

Six persons were injured as improvised explosive devices (IEDs) went off in two polling centres in Nawalparasi district during the second phase of federal parliament and provincial assembly elections on Thursday.

The offices of the Chief Election Officers will start counting of the votes from Thursday evening in tight security arrangement, keeping in view incidents of violence or scuffles that could occur during vote counting in various districts.

Incidents of blast and attack on election rallies have continued in different districts.

Even though the political parties have made tall promises while campaigning for election, voters do not seem to be impressed much, as their demands concern basic needs.

Ahead of Sunday’s voting, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found in various parts of the country on Friday.

Activities aimed at foiling the scheduled elections were reported from several places on Thursday as well.