A lock on the university, a hostage to the power's conscience

Amidst the lockdown, the 13th Assembly (Senate) of the University was held at the Prime Minister's Residence Baluwatar on Wednesday. The Senate meeting was held in Baluwatar in the presence of Prime Minister and Vice-Chancellor KP Sharma Oli, Education Minister and Vice-Chancellor Vidya Bhattarai. For a week, Vice-Chancellor Punya Prasad Regmi, Registrar Sharda Thapalia, Dean and other prominent officials of the university were present in Kathmandu for the meeting. However, the issue of canceling the studies and exams of more than four thousand students did not become the agenda of the Senate.

Registrar Thapalia said that despite the closure of the university after the clashes two weeks ago, teaching and examinations were halted, as the agenda of the Senate was different, but the matter was not discussed. She said, "The chancellor and vice-chancellor had already been briefed about the clash and lockout, only the cinema budget was discussed." "Last year's expenditure of 1.15 billion 84 million rupees has been approved, while next year's budget of 1.75 billion 63 million rupees has been approved," she said.

The university postponed the examination of students studying in different semesters in agriculture, animal science, veterinary medicine, fishery science, forestry faculty and affiliated colleges under that faculty on August 15 due to the uncomfortable situation. Associate Professor Homanath Giri, Controller of Examinations, said that the examination has been postponed until further notice. Classes have not been conducted in the campuses.

The Dean's Office has informed that the entrance examination of the candidates who filled the online application form for admission to the undergraduate level of the Faculty of Forestry has not been conducted. The registrar's office has issued a statement and has appealed for help to return the extremely uncomfortable situation caused by the suspension of teaching and all examinations to a smooth and normal situation.

On August 13, academic and administrative activities of the university were disrupted after a clash between Congress and Amalani students in the men's dormitory area of ​​the Faculty of Agriculture campus. "The work of passing the budget and approving the expenses was done, due to the closure of the university, the educational future of more than 4,000 students was not raised in the meeting," said a member participating in the senate, "The chancellor, vice-chancellor, vice-chancellor, registrar and other officials of the university did not seem sensitive to such issues. .'

Since, the senate members are of the opinion that it is 'indecent' to hold a senate meeting at the Prime Minister's residence amid the university lockdown. "After the Prime Minister said that he could not come to Rampur, the meeting was held at his residence," said one of the participants. Prime Minister Oli has not gone to participate in the meeting of any university or institution except Tribhuvan and Kathmandu University. The meeting of Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) in Lalitpur Khumaltar was also held in Baluwatar on Tuesday. Meetings of other universities have also been held at the Prime Minister's residence.

According to the officials of the university, the meeting was held in Baluwatar on the Prime Minister's request. At the meeting of the University of Agriculture and Forestry, Prime Minister Oli said that the production of agriculture should be doubled. For that, the university also held the view that agricultural scientists and engineers should be emphasized.

On the other hand, after the clash, both the organizations have been blaming each other, while the union has locked down the accused demanding expulsion from the university. Durjang Sherpa, the president of the Navy Association, alleged that the university was not interested in taking action against the culprits and treating the injured. "Two of our friends are seriously injured, they are being treated in Kathmandu for eye and head injuries," he said Vice President Abhishek Oli, Sushil Chhetri, Unit Secretary Pritam Bhandari, Treasurer Kaman Dahal, Naresh Basnet, Jenish Lama were attacked and injured by the Navy Association.

District Police Office Chitwan has said that it is in the process of arresting 3 people involved in the incident and prosecuting the death case. Those arrested are Amalenikat Aneraswaviyu activists. Samik Badal, president of Aneraswawiyu, claimed that the police arrested the students who were not involved in the incident based on the statement. He alleges that the union has spoiled the educational environment by locking unnecessarily. "Those involved in the incident should be prosecuted according to the law, the Union should open the lock," he said. Thapalia says. "The wounded students are being treated, the environment will become normal after they are discharged from the hospital," she said, "Those found guilty during the investigation will be punished."

The teachers of the university have said that the problem has been prolonged since the officials went to Kathmandu calling it a senate meeting and did not intend to open the lockdown and conduct the teaching and examination. They complain that the government has not taken any initiative to create a comfortable environment even though the university has become turbulent due to the students' quarrel with the ruling parties. For security, the police are guarding the university campus in Rampur. To investigate the

incident, the university has formed a committee headed by Professor Bhuminanda Devkota. Vice-Chancellor Regmi claims that efforts are being made to bring the university back to normal by opening the lockdown along with the investigation. "Affiliated and individual campuses have been opened," he said, "Discussions are going on, the central campus will also open soon."