ICYMI: Here are our top stories from Friday, July 19

Here are some of the top stories from The Kathmandu Post (July 19, 2019). ICYMI: Here are our top stories from Friday, July 19

Neeru Tamang never went to the police despite facing years of abuse from her husband. Tsering D Gurung/TKP

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Post Report

Published at : July 19, 2019

Updated at : July 19, 2019 18:25

Kathmandu

Here are some of the top stories from The Kathmandu Post (July 19, 2019).

Thousands of domestic violence cases are registered every year, but almost none go to court

Under the domestic violence act, a perpetrator can be fined between Rs3,000 and Rs25,000, or sentenced to six months imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the crime. However, only a handful of victims, who come forward to report incidents of domestic violence, end up choosing to prosecute their perpetrators. As in Pokhrel’s case, nearly all incidents of domestic violence reported to the police end up in reconciliation.

Of the 12,000 complaints related to domestic violence registered with the police in the 2017-2018 fiscal year, just four went to court. The numbers are similar for previous years. Lawyers say this is mainly because the law itself emphasises mediation.

As the festival season approaches, sugar producers once again demand restrictions on import

Nepal’s sugar industry has often enjoyed government protectionism. But sugar mill owners, by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s own admission, have been taking the government for a ride.

With quantitative restrictions on sugar imports lifted, there are now widespread concerns that sugar mill operators will pull off a repeat of what they did last year, which in turn would lead to pricing instability and inconvenience for consumers, especially during the upcoming festive season.

People in Khotang are forced to charter helicopters in times of sickness as roadways are blocked by landslides

Chartering a helicopter is an expensive affair and costs around Rs200,000-Rs 250,000 per flight. And for people like Rai and Poudel who come from remote parts of the district, the option is either to spend a fortune booking a chopper or wait for the worst to happen.

Landslides triggered by incessant rains have obstructed various road sections across the district and the authorities’ apathy for repairing the landslide-hit stretches as soon as possible have added to the woes of Khotang locals.

With final tests underway, Nepal-India cross-border oil pipeline nears operation

After more than two decades since its inception, the Nepal-India Cross Border petroleum pipeline is finally ready for launch as the authorities carry final functional tests on the 70 km structure, also the first cross border pipeline in South Asia.