Kathmandu, February 24:

Police today arrested Govind Gautam, Free Students Union (FSU) president of Saraswati Multiple Campus, and Shailesh Lama, a student leader, from the protest rally held in front of the campus. The student bodies took out the protest rally demanding the formation of an election commission and the announcement of FSU elections in Saraswati Multiple Campus.

The students clashed with the police during the course of the protests. Both Gautam and Lama were injured in the scuffle. The old election commission of the Saraswati Multiple Campus postponed all FSU polls related activities on February 20 till further notice citing ‘unfavourable circumstances’.

The EC took the decision after a scuffle ensued earlier that day when a group of students abducted Govind Gautam, the sitting FSU chairman and presidential candidate Shailesh Lama, while the two were on their way to file their nominations for the FSU election slated for February 28. Both the abducted students were released later.

On February 20, a group of students under Man Bir Lama, who was earlier associated with the ANNFSU, had barred the student unions from filing their nominations, which had led to clashes between the group under Lama and other students unions including the ANNFSU.

Meanwhile, the presidential candidates of various students’ union of Tribhuvan University central campus today vowed to fulfil their announced plans during a programme held here today. The presidential candidates said they would work towards strengthening the students’ movement for democracy and peace and for the reformation in education sector.

The interaction on ‘FSU election, students’ expectations and student unions’ commitment’ was organised by the TU Club, good governance department. The students said they would abide by their promises made prior to the election.

Bijay Rai, sitting FSU chairman, claimed to have completed 75 per cent of works he had vowed to do. Bhim Shrish, an NSU presidential candidate, said he would work towards creating an alliance among the student bodies, to provide fair reservations in the hostel irrespective of the political affiliation of the students and to strengthen students’ movement for democracy.

“The ANNFSU will work towards establishing a republican set-up in the country," said Rupesh Khatiwada, an ANNFSU presidential candidate.