Chitwan, November 24

A demonstration was staged in Chitwan today demanding the return of exorbitant amount charged by Chitwan Medical College from students.

The demonstration taken out at the initiative of the Medical Education Struggle Committee also saw spontaneous participation of guardians and parents.

The demonstration that focused on the main bazaar, later converged into a corner meeting at Chaubiskothi of Bharatpur.

Speaking at the meeting, students asked the government not to protect the medical mafia. Furthermore, committing themselves to continuing their agitation until the exorbitant amount fleeced was returned, they vowed to stop the college from resuming until that happened.

Earlier, the Ministry of Education had given 15 days’ deadline to medical colleges involved in charging exorbitant amount from students, warning that they should be prepared to face action. The colleges concerned, however, are yet to return the extra amount they had charged from students.

The government has fixed 4.25 million rupees as fees to pursue MBBS degree from medical colleges outside the valley. But, according to the students, private medical colleges have charged up to 6.2 million rupees from MBBS students. They have complained of arbitrary fees under several headings such as hostel fees, boarding, registration and tuition.

Meanwhile, police have intensified their vigilance after a pistol was reportedly found from the college premises in Kailashnagar yesterday.