KATHMANDU: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Monday asked the Maoist-affiliated group, All Nepal National Independent Students Union (Revolutionary) to withdraw their educational bandh.

Issuing a statement on Monday, the human rights watchdog told the organization to end the strike immediately as it is affecting thousands of students across the nation and appealed to the government to to initiate negotiations with the rebel students.

The statement comes after an interaction with Nepal Guardians Association representatives this afternoon.

The ANNISU-R declared an indefinite strike against all public and private schools from Sunday, demanding that the government remove the terrorist label issued against the group and release of arrested leaders. The organization also demanded massive cuts in fees charged by private schools.

The secretary of the Ministry of Education and Sports, Bidhyadhar Mallik, said the government was willing to hold negotiations with the rebel students. “We are ready to fulfill most of their demands ,” he said speaking at a face-to-face program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal.

Laba Prasad Tripathi, spokesperson of the ministry, added that the ministry is attempting to hold talks with ANNISU-R representatives.