According to Sanjaya, Suresh Burma, chairman of the school management committee, had spent Rs 87,000 professedly to construct the compound walls of the school.[break] Suresh later demanded more money without submitting the expenditure details. When Sanjaya, the ex-officio member secretary of school management committee (SMC), refused, an infuriated Suresh publicly manhandled the Sanjaya.
Still not satisfied, Suresh hatched a deadly plot to kidnap and murder his son Kapil. On September 30, some goons hired by Burma kidnapped Kapil and his friend Liladhar. Both students were later found brutally murdered.
"Burma warned me of dire consequences whenever I asked him for details of the expenditure," Sanjaya said. "Instead of submitting the details, he asked for more money. I refused. This eventually led to the murder of my son and his friend." Police have arrested eight persons in connection to the murder, while Burma is still at large.
Fearful principals
In over half a dozen schools in Banke, school management committee presidents have long been threatening principals. As a result, some principals have sought transfers to safer places, while others have made up their minds to resign.
Ahamad Ali, principal of the Chotihalbaldoli-based Nepal Rastriya Primary School, was beaten up by SMC chairman Sabir Khan only last month. Khan had also thrashed three other teachers who tried to protect the principal. "I don´t intend to work at this school anymore," Ali said. "Khan said he would still walk free if he murders me." Regular exams have been affected after Khan manhandled Ali.
Meanwhile, the family of one of two murdered students, Kapil, has said they are still fearful as the prime accused of the crime, Burma, is still at large. Kapil´s family members have even accused police of not investigating into the crime sincerely.
"The main accused is still enjoying impunity. A police constable is found to have links with those involved in the crime," said Yagya Nidhi Adhikari, Kapil´s uncle. A police constable, Sakir Ali Behana, was found to have links with Meraj Ahamad Sai, who is among eight arrested so far. Kapil´s family has also accused police of protecting Behana.
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