Classes halted at Agriculture and Forestry University

Chitwan, September 17

Political strife amongst teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as some of the students has led to the closure of Rampur-based Agriculture and Forestry University in Chitwan.

Classes, administrative work and even exams have been halted at the university after Nepali Congress-aligned teachers who had been lobbying for appointment of either vice-chancellor or registrar or Service commission chairperson from their coterie, were snubbed.

Recently appointed vice-chancellor Ishwori Prasad Dhakal and Registrar Manaraj Kolakshyapati, and Service Commission Chairperson Ramnath Ojha are said to be close to CPN-Maoist Centre and CPN-UML respectively.

It is reported that the university central office is padlocked and the walls have been noted to be covered with statements of one or the other groups of the agitators that have enforced the padlock. Frustrated students and guardians have repeatedly requested the management to intervene and come to a resolution.

Newly-appointed VC Dhakal has vowed to settle the issue through talks. “It is unfortunate that the varsity is closed over such trivial issues putting the students at the receiving end, but it won’t last long,” said Dhakal, expressing his commitment to holding needful talks with the agitating sides and facilitating the resumption of the varsity within a few days.

Lately, to make matters worse, contract-based teachers, and student bodies seemed to also have separate issues.The agitation has halted all exams including the Bachelor third year exams due to start from September 13.

Six years ago, the government had declared the Rampur-based Agriculture and Livestock Research Institute as Agriculture and Forestry University. Unfortunately though, the university has been facing many problems ever since.