At least 17 students were arrested Thursday morning as police interfered into a protest staged by the students of Balmiki Bidhayapeeth at Exhibition Road, Kathmandu, against the arrest of 20 students yesterday.

According to Nepal Students Union (NSU) central office, riot police interfered into the peaceful protest of students and arrested 17 students including former president Free Students Union (FSU) of the campus and NSU central member Bishu Panthi, FSU president Laxman Acharya and secretary Kirshna Rijal were arrested.

The NSU also demanded that the authorities immediately release all arrested students, stop sending police inside the campus premises and settle the demands of the students through negotiations.

On Wednesday, three students were injured and 20 others were rounded up during a clash with police.

Putting forth a 27-point demand that includes better administration, quality education and resignation of the campus chief, students of Balmiki Bidhayapeeth have been carrying out strike for more than a month.