Maoist student activists torch college bus in Nepal

Kathmandu: Student activists belonging to the ruling UCPN-Maoist has set ablaze a college bus here after their demand to establish a unit of the Maoist student`s organisation in the college was rejected.

The activists belonging to All-Nepal National Independent Students Union Revolutionary took control of the bus of Golden Gate College yesterday near Swoyambhu Stupa in western part of Kathmandu and set it on fire, the police said. No one was reported to be injured in the incident. The bus was en route to Balaju to pick up students when it was torched. The student activists has further warned to take strong action if their efforts to establish an organisation in the college is obstructed. The director of the college, however, said the formation of any student organisation affiliated to political party was not acceptable. Last week, the student activists belonging to CPN-Maoist, the breakaway faction of UCPN-Maoist, had vandalised three vehicles belonging to DAV Sushil Kedia Bishwo Bharati Higher Secondary School in Lalitpur district for conducting exams under India`s CBSE system. Meanwhile, the Higher Secondary School Association of Nepal has issued a statement and expressed concern over the increasing incidents of vandalism and arson targeting school and college buses. PTI