Kirtipur, December 7:

The third round of talks between the Tribhuvan University Struggle Committee and representatives of the TU executive body ended inconclusively today as both sides remained adamant on their stances.

Agitating students organised under the struggle committee have been demanding that university teachers be selected through open competition and the provision of appointing teachers on contract be done away with. The TU executive body didn’t show any indication to withdraw its decision to hire 900 part-time teachers in the TU service on contract. The TU executive body had taken the decision on August 22. Protesting this decision, the students embarked on an agitation from August 24.

The VC Office, registrar’s office and the TU Service Commission Office have remained locked since November 18. “We had expected to reach an agreement on the matter today, but nothing came out of the talks as people concerned were not taking part in the talks,” said Ramesh Thapa, coordinator of the committee, after the meeting.

He said the students will stage a symbolic protest on Sunday by throwing books at the VC’s office.