There are reports of early morning student protests against the recent hike in the prices of petroleum products (POL) in front of several campuses in the capital.
A policeman firing teargas to disperse student protesters at Shankerdev College, Tuesday morning, Aug 23 05.
A policeman firing teargas to disperse student protesters at Shankerdev College, …
According to our reporter on-site, protests were held in front of the Shankardev, Baneswor, Bishwa Bhasa and Ratna Rajya campuses, among others. Students protested the price hike by burning tyres and chanting anti-government slogans.
Students in front of the Shankardev Campus pelted stones at the police, which led to a scuffle between them. The police responded by firing over a half dozen tear gas shells to disperse the students. Traffic came to a standstill for about three hours around Exhibition Road and Putalisadak area, one of the major streets in the capital.
There are no reports of injuries on either side, police said.
Student leaders have vowed to continue their protests until the government withdraws its petro price hike decision.
On Monday, Minister for Information and Communication, Tanka Dhakal, who is also the government’s spokesperson, said the government was compelled to increase the prices of POL products so as to “adjust the local prices with that of international prices.”