The Big Three party leaders are close to setting up a High Level Political Mechanism to end the political impasse. The Himalayan Times reports:

The leaders of three major political parties today agreed to form a high-level political mechanism on Friday morning.

The high-level mechanism will focus on timely promulgation of the new constitution and bring the ongoing peace process to a logical conclusion. Once the mechanism comes into force, it is expected to hold regular meetings, giving twin issues priority.

The discharge of disqualified Maoist ex-combatants from Sinduli-based Dudhauli cantonment will also begin today. Republica reports:

The Maoists’ People’s Liberation Army is organizing a special ceremony at the cantonments on Thursday to mark the beginning of the discharge of 4,008 disqualified combatants who comprise minors and late recruits.

“Each combatant will be provided a transitional allowance amounting to Rs 10,000” said Robert Piper, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.

As per the plan, the discharge will contact UN career counselors for rehabilitation education up to grade XII, vocational training, small business training and health sector packages.

Republica also reports that marginalised communities will get priority in army integration according to a confidential policy documented floated at the Special Committee on Supervision, Intgration and Rehabilitation.

“The idea behind giving priority to combatants with marginalised backgrounds is to make the national security forces more inclusive while carrying out the integration,” said a high-placed source Wednesday on the condition of anonymity.

Emergency services at the Bir Hospital are also set to resume after doctors agreed to return to emergency duty today. Nagarik reports:

“Hospital workers agreed to resume emergency services today and all other services from tomorrow,” said Prabin Mishra Secretary at the Ministry of Health, “we are positive towards their demand.”

In other, more grisly news, a plastic bag containing six foetuses was found by the banks of the Bishnumati River in Kuleswor on Wednesday. Authorities suspect they were dumped there by private hospitals performing illegal abortions.