Candidate picks for local polls, health talks in Dhangadhi & security updates 🇳🇵

Today’s news centers on political and administrative directives alongside security incidents, accountability actions, and infrastructure and social policy developments.

Politics & Governance

General Secretary Pokharel has instructed local committees to select candidates independently for upcoming local elections, aiming to strengthen grassroots involvement in nomination decisions through local-level processes. General Secretary Pokharel directs lower committee to select candidates for local elections The government is also engaging on health-sector reforms, with decisive talks expected in Dhangadhi between a government team and representatives of Dr. Govind K.C. Decisive talks between government team and Govinda K.C. representatives are underway in Dhangadhi today In parallel, concerns are rising over policy follow-through as hospitals reportedly are not implementing a free health portal directive. Free health portal: Government's instruction not followed by government hospitals

Courts & Accountability

Police arrests and investigation steps have followed the leak of Tribhuvan University’s MBS question papers, with further scrutiny led by the Central Investigation Bureau and a committee report due in seven days. Police arrest several people in MBS question paper leak case The broader political reporting also highlights system vulnerabilities and calls for stronger examination security after the leak, linking the incident to wider reform demands. Nepal Political Briefing July 26 In Sunsari, Raswapa MP Lal Vikram Thapa has demanded an impartial probe and action after a police shooting death, adding pressure for accountability beyond immediate policing responses. Sunsari shooting incident: Raswapa MP Thapa demands fair investigation and action against culprits

Economy & Business

Tourism in Chitwan is reported to be improving despite monsoon-related operational challenges, with a 25 percent rise in domestic visitors and occupancy reaching about half of capacity. Chitwan hotels see tourists surge despite monsoon challenges The government’s public-holiday policy is credited with boosting short-term travel demand, supporting hotel businesses in places like Sauraha. Chitwan hotels see tourists surge despite monsoon challenges Separately, microfinance reform protests in Kathmandu reflect growing economic and consumer-protection pressures, including demands for debt relief and stronger borrower safeguards. Nepal Political Briefing July 26

Society & Community

In Sunsari, community conflict following a temple-related dispute and DJ-related tensions led to police gunfire, injuries, and a death, prompting high-level security discussions chaired by the Home Minister. Home Minister Sudhan Gurung and security chiefs hold discussions after Sunsari incident The District Administration imposed an indefinite curfew across five areas to prevent further unrest, restricting movement and gatherings while bolstering security presence. Sunsari: indefinite curfew order issued for five areas Meanwhile, in Kathmandu Valley, the Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola tunnel is set for formal inauguration, but local residents are protesting for infrastructure improvements and related demands. Nagdhunga tunnel to be formally inaugurated today; locals protest with various demands

Date: July 27, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Shrawan 11, 2083

Top News

1. स्थानीय चुनावमा उम्मेदवार आफैँ छनौट गर्न तल्ला कमिटीलाई महासचिव पोखरेलको निर्देशन (www.onlinekhabar.com)

General Secretary Pokharel has instructed local committees to independently select candidates for the upcoming local elections. This directive aims to empower grassroots organizations in the candidate selection process.

2. सरकारी टोली र गोविन्द केसीका प्रतिनिधिबीच धनगढीमा आज निर्णायक वार्ता हुँदै (www.onlinekhabar.com)

A decisive meeting is taking place today in Dhangadhi between the government team and representatives of Dr. Govind K.C. This dialogue is expected to address ongoing issues related to medical education reforms in Nepal.

3. नि:शुल्क स्वास्थ्य पोर्टल : सरकारको निर्देशन सरकारी अस्पतालले नै टेरेनन् (www.onlinekhabar.com)

The government has directed public hospitals to implement a free health portal, but many hospitals have not complied with the directive. This lack of adherence raises concerns about the accessibility of healthcare services as intended by the government's initiative.

4. सुनसरी गोलीकाण्ड : रास्वपा सांसद थापाद्वारा निष्पक्ष छानबिन र दोषीमाथि कारबाहीको माग (www.ratopati.com)

Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswapa) MP Lal Vikram Thapa condemned the police shooting that resulted in the death of 24-year-old Om Prakash Mehta in Deewanganj, Sunsari. He called for an impartial investigation and action against those responsible, expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of accountability from local officials. Following the incident, a curfew has been imposed in the area.

5. सुनसरी घटनापछि गृहमन्त्री सुधन गुरुङ र सुरक्षा प्रमुखहरू छलफलमा (www.ratopati.com)

A clash between Hindu and Muslim communities in Deewangunj, Sunsari, resulted in one death, prompting Home Minister Sudhan Gurung to convene a meeting with security chiefs, including Home Secretary Rajkumar Shrestha and IGP Dan Bahadur Karki. The conflict reportedly arose over a DJ playing loudly at a temple and the removal of a Muslim flag in favor of a Hindu one, leading to police firing rounds to control the situation, which left several injured, including police personnel.

6. नागढुङ्गा सुरुङमार्गको आज औपचारिक उद्घाटन हुँदै, स्थानीयले विभिन्न माग राखेर गरे विरोध (www.ratopati.com)

The Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel will be formally inaugurated today with the presence of Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal, Japanese Ambassador Toru Maeda, and JICA Chairman. Meanwhile, local residents in Chandragiri Municipality are protesting, demanding the construction of an overpass, road expansion, job security, and better traffic management. The affected residents have called for immediate action on their grievances, including the naming of the overpass as "Kisipidi Flyover."

7. Police arrest several people in MBS question paper leak case (theannapurnaexpress.com)

Police have arrested several individuals in connection with the leak of the Masters of Business Studies (MBS) question papers at Tribhuvan University, following instructions from Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel. The Central Investigation Bureau is conducting an investigation after the 'Organizational Behaviour' exam paper was leaked on social media shortly after the exam began on July 20. Additionally, a three-member committee has been formed to investigate the incident, with a report due in seven days.

8. सुनसरीका पाँच क्षेत्रमा अनिश्चितकालीन कर्फ्यू आदेश जारी (newsofnepal.com)

Following a clash in Captainganj, Devanaganj Municipality-3, where police gunfire resulted in the death of 24-year-old Omprakash Mehta, the Sunsari District Administration has imposed an indefinite curfew in five areas. Chief District Officer Basudev Ghimire announced that the curfew, effective from 7 AM Monday until further notice, prohibits public movement and gatherings, with enhanced security measures by Nepal Police and Armed Police in place. Seventeen individuals, including protesters and police, were reported injured during the incident.

9. Chitwan hotels see tourists surge despite monsoon challenges (theannapurnaexpress.com)

Chitwan hotels are experiencing a surge in tourist arrivals, with a reported 25 percent increase in domestic visitors compared to last year, attributed to a new two-day public holiday policy. The overall hotel occupancy in the district has reached around 50 percent, despite challenges posed by road infrastructure. Sauraha, which has 141 hotels, benefits from increased promotion of rainy season tourism, enhancing its appeal to both domestic and international travelers.

10. Nepal Political Briefing\ July 26 (theannapurnaexpress.com)

Nepal's first road tunnel, the 2.68-kilometer Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola Tunnel, officially opens after nearly seven years of construction at a cost of NPR 29 billion. Initially, only emergency vehicles will be allowed, while the government faces challenges in operations and safety management. Authorities arrested the main suspect in the leak of Tribhuvan University's MBS exam papers, highlighting vulnerabilities in the examination system and prompting calls for stronger security measures. Additionally, thousands protested in Kathmandu for reforms in the microfinance sector, demanding debt relief and better borrower protections.

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