Unidentified vandals set the BP Library at Tri-Chandra College on fire on Sunday following a scuffle between members of two rival student wings belonging to ruling Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML. However, there were no reports of human casualties in the fire.
The library run by the Free Student Union (FSU) in the oldest institute of higher learning in the heart of Kathmandu was completely destroyed in the incident. Some 2,000 books, including large number of research papers, were reduced to ashes even as three fire engines from Kathmandu Fire Brigade with the support from security personnel and students doused the fire within an hour after it started. The college does not have any stake in the library that was established by Nepali Congress and named after its charismatic leader BP Koirala in the 1990’s.
Meanwhile, the NC-aligned Nepal Student Union (NSU) and UML-affiliated All Nepal National Free Student Union (ANNFSU) have blamed each other for the inferno. According to police, the fire broke out immediately after a group of NSU cadres led by Kamal Budha attacked Prem KC, a member of the ANNFSU TC Campus Chapter, with khukuri. KC, who sustained serious injuries in his head and both arms in the attack, is undergoing treatment at Kathmandu Model Hospital.
ANNFSU Speokesperson RC Lamichhane claimed that four NSU cadres led by Budha attacked KC while the latter was studying in the library. KC, a Bachelor second year student at the campus, was preparing for his exams set to begin on Wednesday.
“NSU cadres are involved in both the incidents. They first attacked our friend and then set the library on fire to divert the focus off the attack,” he said.
The ANNFSU has filed a complaint against Budha and his team at the Metropolitan Police Circle in Durbarmarg. In-charge of the circle, DSP Raj Kumar Silwal, said they have started an investigation into the matter and the culprit of both the incidents will soon be brought to book.
NSU spokesperson UP Lamichhne, however, declined the involvement of his union or any of its members in the two incidents. He claimed that the attack was purely a result of personal differences between Budha and KC, and hence the NSU should not be linked in both the incidents.
Lamichhane, however, said that the NSU is ready to co-operate with police to take stringent action against anyone involved in the incident.
Such deadly clashes between the two rival unions is not new in the college, however. They had opened fire at each other in December 2010 following a dispute over bidding for the construction of the campus building. Both the unions wanted their preferred bidder to get the tender to ensure sizeable commission.
“Enough is enough. How can we run the college in such a situation?” questioned Hari Thapaliya, chief of Tri-Chandra College. He also demanded that the government ensure safety and security of teachers and students at academic institutions in the country.
Binod Ghimire covers parliamentary affairs and human rights for The Kathmandu Post. Since joining the Post in 2010, he has reported primarily on social issues, focusing on education and transitional justice.
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