KATHMANDU: All the private and government schools in the valley remained closed today to protest the abduction of Monica Piya, a fourth grader in Sourdeep Boarding School, Balaju.

The bandh was called by Guardians Association of Nepal (GAN), an apex body of guardians in the country.

Piya, 10, was abducted on Thursday while she was on her way to school. The locals Ram Prasad Chhatkuli and Balram Bogati had later rescued her the same day.

Several educational organisations such as Private and Boarding Schools’ Organisation Nepal (PABSON) and National Private and Boarding Schools Association of Nepal (N-PABSAN), Nepal Educational Republic Forum (NERF) and Institutional School Teachers’ Organisation (ISTU) had also supported the bandh.

Representatives of educational institutions, teachers and guardians today met Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal urging him to take stern action against Piya’s abductors and improve law and order situation in the country.

“The Prime Minister had

assured us that action would be taken against the guilty,” Hom Kumar Thapa, vice-president of NERF, told The

Himalayan Times.

Meanwhile, Sourdeep Boarding School today feted the rescuers Ram Prasad Chatakuli and Balaram Bohara for their bravery.

Suprabhat Bhandari, president of GAN, said they had

also urged the Prime Minister to honour the rescuers so as to encourage people to fight against criminals.

According to police, the abductors have been identified as Bidur Gautam of Kavre and Rabi Shrestha of Nuwakot.