Student clash erupts at Sudurpaschim university over election dispute

Kanchanpur: Tensions flared at Sudurpaschim University after a clash broke out between students over a dispute concerning the upcoming SBU election.

The incident occurred on Tuesday morning when padlocks placed by independent students on the election office were broken. The students had locked the office a day earlier, demanding the repeal of revised rules related to the SBU election, a more inclusive and fair electoral process, and the replacement of the election officer.

The university had scheduled the SBU election at the central campus for August 14, with nominations set to be filed on Tuesday. The clash erupted when members of the ANNFSU Krantikari arrived at the election office to file their nominations.

Three students were injured during the altercation, prompting police to intervene with a lathi-charge. Following the clash, the Nepal Students' Union locked the election officer’s office, further escalating tensions and casting uncertainty over the nomination process.

Under the original regulations, the term of the SBU ended when students completed their studies. However, an amendment by the university senate in February 2081 BS changed the rule, stipulating that the term ends on a scheduled date, regardless of graduation status.

Ganesh Mishra of ANNFSU Krantikari accused the Nepal Students' Union of attempting to rig the election under the guise of supporting independent students, adding that similar manipulation occurred in the past. ANNFSU also criticized the padlocking of the office, claiming it obstructed students' democratic rights.

District President of ANNFSU Kanchanpur, Amar Bahadur Dhami, stated that the locks were removed with stakeholder consensus to continue the election process, which was disrupted by clashes instigated by the Nepal Students' Union and Akhil Krantikari.

Meanwhile, Indra Saund, central member of the Nepal Students' Union, claimed the clash began when Krantikari students threw petrol while union members were in a discussion with the administration. He also alleged that police selectively targeted members of his organization during the crackdown.

Election Officer Karnadev Bhatta clarified that the election regulation amendments were made last year by the university senate, based on requests from student organizations and the heads of 15 constituent campuses.

Bhatta announced that the nomination process has been postponed until further notice. He added that discussions will be held with the students who initiated the lockout and with other student organizations before announcing a revised nomination schedule.