Police step up security to prevent poll violence in TU-affiliated colleges

Kathmandu, February 25

Police said they have thrown a tight security cover in the central and constituent campuses of Tribhuvan University to prevent any untoward incident as student unions of various political parties engage in clashes over Free Student Union elections.

Of 60 constituent campuses of TU, the Kathmandu Valley alone has 22. Most of the campuses have been padlocked by student unions affiliated to Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Revolutionary Maoist and CPN     Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN Maoist to protest the FSU polls. Other student unions aligned to Naya Shakti Party and Madhesi parties  have also warned that they would sabotage the polls.

An official at the Metropolitan Police Office said security personnel were maintaining a strong vigil to avert any untoward incident before and during the polls. Police personnel, both in uniform and civvies, have also been deployed around the campuses. “Anyone found involved in criminal and unlawful activities will be brought to book under the existing laws,” he warned.

Violent clashes between various student unions have also raised concern about security as the TU prepares for FSU elections. The official said students were very likely to resort to violence to conduct or foil the election process.