Kathmandu, July 31:

The Kathmandu District Administration Office (KDAO) today slapped a bail amount of Rs 500 each on the six student leaders who were charged with public offence. The six, however, refused to furnish the bail amount, saying they were ready to face action taken by the government. Pradeep Poudel, vice-president of the Nepal Students’ Union (NSU), said that they were ready to face any kind action on false charges slapped on them by the “the autocratic government” in their quest for a new precedent. Saroj Thapa, chairman of Free Students Union, Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, said they did not submit bail because the charge against them was false and baseless. All six student leaders have been sent to the Tripureshwor central jail. The jailed leaders include Poudel, Thapa, Thakur Gaire, general secretary of All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU), Narayan Bharati of NSU, BP Regmi of NSU unit Baneshwor Campus and Pushpa Shahi, NSU Kailai district chairman. The six were arrested on July 14 for burning portraits of members of the royal family during a rally held to protest “nationalist” education.