An unidentified group today torched a vehicle belonging to Prof Guna Nidhi Neupane, Rector, Tribhuvan University, in Anamnagar.

“While we were going to office from home, a group of youngsters stopped our vehicle near Madan Bhandari Memorial College in Anamnagar, snatched the keys from the driver, asked us to come out and set the vehicle on fire,” Neupane told this daily. “According to my driver, the youngsters identified themselves as members of Unified CPN-Maoist-aligned All Nepal National Independent Students Union-Revolutionary before torching the vehicle.”

ANNISU-R, however, denied its members involvement in the incident.

Jagrit Rayamajhi, Vice-president, ANNISU-R, said some students might have torched Rector Neupane’s vehicle for not paying attention to them regarding changing the date of Free Students Union election. He said, “Some angry students might have done this, but our union has not directed anyone to attack the Rector.”

An alliance of 19 students unions led by ANNFSU-R has been protesting TU’s decision to hold FSU election on June 1, saying that their consensus was not sought before announcing the date. They are pressing TU to declare a new date. According to ASI Jeevan Khadka of Metropolitan Police Circle, New Baneshwor, Neupane’s Tata Safari (Ba 10 Cha 4320) was set on fire at around 10:40am. ASI Khadka said the vehicle was completely destroyed in the fire. “The blaze was later brought under control with the help of a fire engine,” he added.

Meanwhile, Tribhuvan University Teachers Association condemned the assault on Neupane and asked the government to take action against those involved in it. A press statement issued by TUTA said destroying TU’s property and assaulting Rector was not a democratic way of expressing anger, if there were any.

source: the himalayan times,21 may 2014