Nadin Khan, who walked three kilometers with his friends and teachers from Saraswati Sadan, was waiting with a bouquet in his hands. As he waited, Maoist cadres attempting to display black flags scuffled with the police, and he got scared.
“Sir asked us to leave our schoolbags at school and gave us bouquets instead. I had hoped to have some fun but they had a fight,” a visibly scared Nadin said.
Students were brought in their uniforms to welcome the prime minister´s entourage and were kept waiting till the end of the program at 4 p.m. There was a minor stampede as Maoist cadres waved black flags at PM Nepal even as he was taking his seat while the students did a march-past nearby. PM Nepal was smiling at the proceedings, with students moving their feet in unison like security personnel on parade.
“We were lucky no unfortunate incident occurred. There could have been casualties in such a situation,” a teacher said.
Smriti Secondary School, Karmavir School, Pothiya School, Saraswati Lower Secondary School, Children Golden Future School, Madrasa Tajbidul Kuran Primary School and Saraswati School were also closed Monday because of the PM´s visit.
Organizers defended themselves, saying the students were involved in what was an educational program. But most of the students were of primary level and only students passing the SLC are eligible for study at the polytechnic.
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