Jhapa, August 22:

At least 100 community schools of Jhapa district have closed down since today due to threats from the Maoist-affiliated student wing, ANNISU-R. ANNISU-R had posted notices on the gates of these schools, threatening adverse action if the schools did not close down. Schools reopened after a month-long summer vacation yesterday. But, the ANNISU-R had been calling for their closure as they were opposing the handover of schools to the community. The Maagements of these schools had notified the District Education office, regarding the problem.

The notice, signed jointly by chairmen of management committees and principals of the schools, mentioned it was becoming increasingly difficult to run the schools due to threats by ANNISU-R. The Jhapa District Administration Office said that it had information about the closure of schools and that the district police office also was notified. CDO Kapil Dev Ghimire has asked the school managements to reopen them, urging them not to succumb to threats.