SUNSARI/KATHMANDU: A state of terror has gripped the private educational institutions in Sunsari and adjoining districts in the east after the students affiliated with All Nepal National Independent Students' Union-Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) - the students' wing of the UCPN-Maoist -- have begun targeting the education facilities lately.

On Tuesday, five school vehicles belonging to three schools were subjected to a wave of 'terror attack" in Itahari, which sparked terror not only among the school proprietors, but also the students and guardians alike. Eyewitnesses said a group of around 30 masked activists belonging to the ANNISU-R vandalised the school buses. "The incident was quite resembling the incidents during the insurgency as the students were crying while the masked men were busy vandalising the buses," said Bimal Khadka of Itahari, adding "We, the bystanders, could do nothing except for being a helpless spectator even as the unruly activities were occurring right in front of our eyes."

The Maoist students simultaneously vandalised three buses of Koshi College, Itahari, a bus of Delhi Public School (DPS), Dharan and a bus belonging to Bishnu Memorial Higher Secondary School, Dharan.

There were 25 students in the bus when it came under attack, said Neelam Pal, principal, DPS. Following the attack, the guardians have been expressing their serious concerns about the safety and security of their wards, she added.

Interestingly, the students belonging to the former rebels' group have been asking a huge amount as donation from the schools. According to Pal, the school got a written message from the ANNISU-R, Sunsari district committee on Thursday asking for Rs 2 lakh as donation.

"Such actions of threats and attacks have shocked the school family," Pal lamented.

The DPS, which was established in Dharan in 1996, now boasts of more than 500 students.

Besides parents, students are equally concerned about their security following the incident, according to Tanka Khulal, founder of Koshi College. Khanal asked the political parties not to target education sector in the name of gaining their political benefit. He also appealed all to keep education sector free from bandh, strike and donation.

Madan Chudal, district chairman, ANNISU-R, admitted their involvement in the vandalism. He also confirmed that they sent a letter to the DPS for donation to hold ANNISU-R convention. Encouraging his subordinates for such unruly activities, Himal Sharma, general secretary, ANNISU-R, termed the Sunsari incident as a beginning of the action against private schools, "which have been cheating guardians since long". "Education mafias are terrorised by our action," he said. Suprabhat Bhandari, president of Nepal Guardian's Association, flayed the incident.