RATNAGAR (CHITWAN): Various student unions today padlocked Agriculture and Forestry University at Rampur in the district to protest the university's preparations to give affiliations to private colleges.

In a bid to protest the process already moved forward to grant affiliations to seven private colleges, instead of establishing constituent colleges to implement the government's decision in this regard, student unions padlocked the university, said President of All Nepal National Independent Students' Union (Revolutionary) at the University.

Office bearers of the university have also been accused of appropriations in the process.

Preparations were underway to give affiliations to various private colleges (two in Nawalparasi and each in Parasi, Jhapa, Itahari, Saptari, Surkhet, Tikapur and Kathmandu), it has been said.

However, Vice Chancellor IP Dhakal of Agriculture and Forestry university  said a public notice had been announced to this effect three years ago and they were forced to give affiliation to private colleges as the government would face burden, in terms of everything including finance, to look after the constituent colleges.

The process was on to give affiliations to 23 private colleges across the country and to establish one constituent college in each province, he said.