Kathmandu, January 28:

The Nepal University Teachers’ Association (NUTA) today announced a “pen down” programme at all the campus and research centres on February 1, as part of their pro-test programme against “autocracy.” The teachers’ body also demanded the immediate release of all students and teachers in detention.

All the teachers affiliated with the NUTA will wear black arm bands on February 1 as a sign of protest.

An NUTA meet here today decided to hold a gathering at Tripureshwor and a protest rally at New Baneshwor on February 3, the NUTA said today thorough a press release. On the same day, the body’s district units will orgainse protest rallies in all the district headquarters.

The meeting today condemned the arrest of Shiva Chandra Mishra, vice-president of NUTA, Bhimsen Das Pradhan, former president of NUTA, Amar Kant Jha, former NUTA vice-president, and Kailash Kumar Thakur, the campus chief of Palhi Multiple Campus, Nawalparasi, and demanded their release without conditions. The meet asked the government to cancel the municipal elections, or be prepared for a “decisive step” to be taken by the academic group.