KATHMANDU: Higher-secondary schools across the country remained closed today to protest the killing of Khyati Shrestha, a Grade XII student of Jubilant College and Research Centre, Kalimati.

The Association of Private Educational Institutions Nepal (APEIN) had called the educational strike demanding that the government ensure peace and security.

The students and the teachers of JCRC halted vehicular movement and staged demonstrations at Kalimati for a few hours demanding severe punishment for those involved in the murder.

They also organised a condolence meet on the college premises.

“Khyati was a brilliant student. She was hardworking and was one of the distinction holders in her class,” Madhusudan Lal Ranjitkar, chairman, JCRC, told The Himalayan Times.

He said they did not want to create chaos on the streets as it created public inconvenience but wanted the authorities to bring the culprits to book.

Shrestha’s body was found 17 days after she had reportedly been kidnapped from Putalisadak on Sunday in Sainbu, Lalitpur.

The police have arrested Biren Shrestha, 42, of Nardevi, and Merina Shakya, 16, of Kathmandu on the charge of involvement in the murder.

Bibek Karki, Shrestha’s colleague, claimed that the accused Biren Shrestha used to Khyati’s tuition teacher.

He regretted that student unions were not supporting their cause. “The students’ wings affiliated with the political parties have been reluctant to support our protests,” he said.