Kathmandu, February 8:

Criminal gangs are extorting money from Valley people in the name of ANNISU-R leaders, president of the All Nepal National Independent Students’ Union-Revolutionary Lekhnath Neupane said in a press release today.

The release has requested the people to be aware of those people and confirm their identities with the ANNISU-R office at Bagbazaar before making donations.

Claiming that Neupane had sent him to collect donations, a person named Prabesh Bhatta has collected Rs 4,000 from Laxman Giri of the Division Road Office Kathmandu, Rs 15,000 from the Trikon Advertising Kamaladi and Rs 10,000 from the Manakamana Cable Car, the release stated.

“Identifying himself as Bijaya, Bhatta also sought donations from the Land Revenue Office Bhaktapur, while people identifying themselves as Bibek and Himal Thapa are collecting money from people living in various parts of the valley.”

“The leaders of the ANNISU-R have never sought donations in the name of any individual; we request the people not to donate money to such people. If our organisation needs donations, we issue notice before going for donation collection,” the release said.