KATHMANDU: Child NGO Federation Nepal has submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare expressing serious concern about the expulsion of students from a Pokhara-based school after it was found that they were infected with HIV/AIDS. Three students were expelled from Diamond Model Boarding School in Pokhara, two of who were found infected with HIV/AIDS some 10 days back.

CNFN President Prachanda Raj Pradhan urged the government to initiate strong action to end such discriminatory acts and requested MoWCSW for the rehabilitation of the children. He said they had asked the government to investigate into the case and take action against the culprits involved in the discriminatory act. "We have also asked the government to organise awareness programmes and campaigns to disseminate correct information among people about HIV/AIDS," said Pradhan. He said the interim constitution had guaranteed education, health and social security as fundamental rights of the children.

"Nepal has signed national and international conventions to ensure the rights of the children. The government should provide them with the basic rights and should provide protection against such discriminatory acts," added Pradhan.

He said they were ready to finance and take the responsibility of taking care of those children.

He added that Binda Hada, secretary at the MoWCSW, had assured them of rehabilitating the children.