RAMECHHAP, NOV 05 - The future of around 550 students at the Kakling Secondary School (KSS) in Doramba of Ramechhap district appears bleak due to the school remaining closed for security reasons, say sources.
Located some 24 miles west of Manthali, the district headquarters, KSS has remained closed for the past two months as its teachers have been staying in Manthali due to fear of the Maoists.
People of the Doramba area live in fear after the Maoists killed Relimai Moktan, a female health worker and Bhim Bahadur Shretha an ex-local representative, in the vicinity of the school. The two were killed on charges of supplying information to security personnel, who shot dead 19 Maoist activists during the time of the Maoist-government talks, in the Hapure area of Dang district.
With rumours circulating that Maoists would target some KSS teachers, all staff and teachers had left for Manthali on September 2. The staff and teachers of seven other schools of the area followed the move of KSS teachers.
Upon Maoist assurances that they would not target teachers, those of other schools returned to resume their duties, later. However, KSS teachers are still in Manthali.
"A cloud of fear still dominates the area. As the Maoists have not given up violence and kidnapping how are we to go to the site under these circumstances?" questioned a teacher.
Lal Jang Chauhan, the chief at the District Education Office (DEO), said that preparations are on to run the school after a few days.
"I had sent two KSS teachers to the site to conduct a meeting with guardians. Its outcome is positive. The school may reopen from coming Sunday," Chauhan said.Posted on: 2003-11-04 09:18

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