Kathmandu - In a sign worsening relations between Nepal's Maoist led government and the army, the defence ministry Monday sought clarification from the army chief alleging him and his organisation of disobeying orders.

The new crisis prompted Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav to summon Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and the army chief Rukmangad Katuwal separately to discuss the issue.

Earlier Monday, defence ministry led by a Maoist politician, gave army chief Rukmangad Katuwal 24 hours to respond to its allegations of disobeying orders.

Kathmandu - A woman was burnt alive by a mob in southern Nepal after she was accused of trying to kidnap a toddler, Nepalese media reports said Monday. The crime happened in Dhanusa district, about 250 kilometres south-east of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, on Sunday, the independent Kantipur Television said.

A crowd in Bharatpur village in Dhanusa district seizedthe woman, doused her with petrol and set her on fire after accusing her of trying to kidnap a baby from the village, the station quoted police as saying.

Kathmandu - Nepal's ruling Maoists have made slight gains in the by-elections at the expense of the opposition Nepali Congress, election officials reported Saturday. The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) won in two constituencies in Kanchanpur and Kaski districts in western Nepal, the Election Commission said.

It was also expected to win in Rolpa district in western Nepal which is a Maoist stronghold. However, vote counting had been delayed in the district due to technical reasons.

Kathmandu, Apr 10 : Voting has begun for the Constituent Assembly (CA) by-election for six vacant constituencies in five districts this morning.

The polling is being held one year after the CA elections.

Polling will continue till 5:00 p. m. It will decide the fate of 139 candidates representing six different political parties and as independent candidates are contesting in six constituencies of five districts.

The election is being held in Morang 5 and 7, Dhanusha 5, Kaski 1, Kanchanpur 4 and Rolpa 2.

Kathmandu - Voting began Friday in by-elections to fill six vacant seats in Nepal's Constituent Assembly in contests seen as a test of the Maoists' popularity. Just more than 444,000 citizens were eligible to cast their ballots, deciding who among 139 candidates, including 10 women, would become members of the assembly, which is Nepal's interim legislature and has also been tasked with drafting a new constitution.

The election is seen as a test of Maoist popularity since the former revolutionaries formed a coalition government last year.

Kathmandu - A Polish climber was killed in Nepal's