The government on Sunday formed a committee headed by the Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Rakam Chemjong to assess the damages and land seizures by Maoists during the 10-year-long insurgency.

A meeting of the Council of Ministers formed the 6-member committee, which will have representatives from the finance, home, local development, women and children ministries.

The government will come up with the compensation package based on the finding of the committee, information minister and government spokesperson Shankar Pokharel said.

The cabinet also decided to dissolve the hospital management committees across the country.

Cases against Dhamala, two others to be withdrawn

The cabinet also decided to withdraw the cases against three journalists - Rishi Dhamala, Ram Subhak Mahato and Birendra Kumar Mahato.

Dhamala, who is the president of Reporters Club, and Mahato-duo are facing criminal charges under the Arms Act.

Dhamala was released on bail in April after two months in policy custody while two others are still detained.

They have been accused of having links with Ranabir Sena, an extremist Hindu group that had claimed responsibilities for a bomb blasts in Kathmandu and Terai districts. nepalnews.com