Kirtipur, January 2:

Kirtipur locals enforced a town shut down today asking an immediate fulfilment of their demands.

Their demands include immediate compensation of the land acquired for Tribhuvan University,

besides priority for locals in TU jobs. The government attained some 1200 ropanis for TU in 1956.

Market area, offices, educational institutions and roadside shops were shut and traffic was halted by burning tyres on the road.

The locals yesterday vandalised the Vice Chancellor’s office when the university reportedly expressed its helplessness in meeting their demands. Following the vandalism, TU announced an indefinite closure of academic and administrative offices, besides halting its regular educational activities.

The teachers and other staffers had received various threats, said VC Prof Madhav Prasad Sharma. “To protect staff and students, we have no other way than closing the university indefinitely,” he said. “They need to understand our situation and limits.” He urged the agitators to show some flexibility for a consensus.