Kathmandu, August 4:

Accusing vice-chancellor of the Kathmandu University (KU), Suresh Raj Sharma, of mobilising locals to quell a peaceful protest staged by members of the Nepal University Teachers’ Association (NUTA) yesterday, the NUTA today demanded immediate sacking of the KU VC.

The NUTA members said at a press meet that the locals of Dhulikhel, under Sharma’s instructions, used force and threatened to kill the NUTA members, who were staging the protest at the KU.

NUTA Rameshwor Upadhyay, general secretary, NUTA, said, “Around 100 inebriated locals, armed with sharp weapons and carrying black shoot, threatened us. About 80 members of the NUTA, Professional Alliance for Peace and Democracy, human rights leaders were barred from entering the KU gate. The locals verbally abused us and threatened to kill us if we did not leave the premises immediately.” Prof Dr Bhupati Dhakal, president of the NUTA, accused the KU VC of behaving in an autocratic manner. Prof Kapil Shrestha, a former president of the NUTA said, “Sharma won’t be tolerated anymore. We want him out of power right now. We will be forced to question the intention of the chancellor and the Education Minister as well if they don’t act immediately.”