PATHLAIYA: A revelation that students of Nepal Secondary School in Bara's Amlekhgunj have been infected with lethal pesticides has caused a panic among the guardians.

A recent study had shown that blood samples collected from the students contained traces of the pesticides, which have been stored in a warehouse near the school for decades. The substances were found in a whopping 94 per cent blood samples. The news has put guardians in a dilemma whether or not to send their children to the school.

''We are in a confusion since both health and education of our children are important to us,'' said Junga Bahadur Lama. "The students had been complaining of headache, vomiting and poor sight."Dr Sital Kaji Shrestha, who holds a post graduate degree in animal husbandry, disclosed the contents of the study conducted over eight months. The guardians have no option but to send their children to the same lethally-polluted school. ''We have no other school in the vicinity to send our children to," lamented Hasta Bahadur Lama. ''What's worse, the hazards of the stock are ever increasing."

Odour emanating from the poisonous stuff often irritates students in their class. ''We cannot concentrate on study as a result," said Susmita Lama, a student. ''We have a headache and feel like vomiting after a brief stay at the school."

Locals said the stock had hazards for the community as well. ''At times, it's suffocating in the locality," said Sita Gurung, a local. As much as 40 tons of pesticides have been stored in the godown for the last 34 years. The government is said to have defied a Supreme Court order to relocate the stockpile. Locals warned of protest if the government did not vacate the area of the poisons.