Why would they ned schools.... they think they shold give guns instead of pens to the kids. Maoist capture yet another school in Sunsari Despite pressure from various quarters to declare schools as zones of peace and not to conduct any activities hampering the studies, Maoists continued to capture schools to use it as shelters for Maoist armies and militias. The Maoist army, militia and cadres have started to use Sharada Secondary School at Khanar-4 in Sunsari for residential purposes and the school playground for parading and holding drills from Monday. Reports quoted Maoist leader Hemanta as saying that some 25 Maoists are staying at the school. The school is closed till the Chatth festival. However, headmaster of the school, Suvarna Bahadur Thapa alleged that the Maoists had occupied the school without seeking permission violating universally-accepted norms and not respecting the education sector as a zone of peace. Joint commander of the Maoist militia (Sunsari) Arjun said, “As we had no place to stay, we took shelter in the school. We will stay there only for a few days.” Over a week ago, the Maoists had also begun camping in the Holy Land Boarding School at Chainpur VDC-4 Chitwan. The rebels’ move came at a time when various child rights organizations are asking the rebels and the armies not to conduct any activities in schools, and let schools remain as zones of peace. Security forces had also used schools as their shelter during the decade long Maoist insurgency. nepalnews.com pb Oct 10 06