The National Human Rights Commission has urged the security agencies to make the upcoming elections peaceful, safe and human rights friendly.

During a meeting held in the Capital on Sunday, NHRC Chairman Anup Raj Joshi urged Home Secretary Lok Darshan Regmi and chiefs of the security agencies to make proper arrangements for maintaining order during the polls.

At least seven people were injured in an explosion during a CPN (Maoist Centre) rally in Sunwal, Nawalparasi, on Sunday. In Janakpur, the headmaster of a secondary school was shot at on Sunday morning.

Chairman Joshi also drew the attention of the government to the barring of NHRC monitoring teams inside polling centres and long duty hours of security personnel.

Secretary Regmi assured the rights body that the security forces would respect human rights and not repeat the mistakes seen during the May 14 polls.

President authorises Army mobilisation

KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has approved mobilisation of the Nepal Army, as recommended by the National Security Council, for the June 28 elections.

A meeting of the council on June 21 recommended that the government mobilise the Army in order to make the polls free and fair.

The decision is in line with Article 66 (2) of the constitution. The Cabinet on June 22 decided to mobilise the national defence force for the polls. (PR)