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India has recorded 10,542 new Covid infections in 24 hours, while the active caseload has risen to 63,562, Union health ministry data updated on Wednesday stated, The Times of India reported. A Delhi government bulletin on Tuesday stated that the national capital recorded 1,537 new Covid cases. Medical experts have said Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.16 could be driving the surge in cases.

A 'Ride to Rara' motorcycle race is going to be held from Birendranagar, Surkhet to Mugu in Karnali Province. The 'Ride to Rara' competition to be held from April 23 to 25 is being organized by Triveni Adventures Pvt Ltd and Royal Enfield Bullet Bike Showroom. A total of 40 riders traveling on 20 bullet motorcycles will be taking part in the competition, according to Manaraj Simkhada, a member of the organizing team. The event is expected to help promote tourism in Karnali while the best riders will be selected to participate in a South Asian event, said Simkhada. The riders will be joined by a medical, technical and photography team and a documentary will also be produced. The event has been supported by Nepal Tourism Board and National Sports Council. According to the organizers, free registration has been arranged for those who wish to participate in the event that is expected to cost around Rs 800,000.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairman Rajendra Lingden has condemned the police attack on loan shark victims. Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, he demanded that the government address the demands of the loan shark victims at the earliest. Lingden urged the government to address the demands raised by Haruwa-Charuwa in various districts of Tarai-Madhes. He warned that the RPP would launch a stern protest if the government did not address their demands. Similarly, lawmaker Prem Suwal said that the Prime Minister and the Home Minister should be informed about the attack on loan shark victims on Monday.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has drawn the government's attention towards the use of force against victims of loan-sharking demonstrating for few days at Shanti Batika, demanding justice. The government has been urged to respect the citizens' right to the freedom of expression and freedom to assemble peacefully. Issuing a press statement today, the national rights body expressed its concern over the 'use of force' against demonstrators, asking the government for respecting the Citizens right to freedom of opinion and expression and freedom to assemble peacefully guaranteed by the Constitution. The NHRC through the statement issued by its Spokesperson Dr Tikaram Pokhrel demanded proper medical care for those injured in course of the police intervention into the peaceful demonstration at Shanti Batika on Monday. He has asked the government for resolving the issue through meaningful talks. The NHRC said that it also carried out a field monitoring over the incident. During the inspection, it came to know that police forcibly intervened demonstrators as they were preparing to head towards Baluwatar to meet with the Prime Minister from Shanti Batika in Ratnapark. Police restored to the force against the group, seized a cooking gas cylinder being used by them and foodstuffs from the site, apprehending them including aged people before taking them to the Mahendra Police Club and restoring to physical assaults targeting them, according to the NHRC It is said those injured in the incident are being treated at the Trauma Centre, Kathmandu. The NRHC met with the injured and those put at the hospital administration and the Metropolis Police Circle, Durbarmarg to take updates surrounding the incident. Among the injured, most suffered head injury with three cases of severe injuries. "This is the severe violation of the Article 19 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights-1948, the Article 17 of the Constitution, the Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights-1966 which guarantee the citizen's right to the freedom of the expression and the assembly peacefully," the NHRC said.