KATHMANDU, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Various national and international organizations have condemned the placement and explosion of bombs at nearly a dozen schools in Kathmandu valley on Tuesday.
Their concern comes following the bomb explosion at the entrance gate of three schools in capital early Tuesday morning while explosive and suspicious objects were recovered from more than a half dozen schools.
According to Nepal police, bombs were exploded at Akash Deep Boarding School and Manakamana Higher Secondary School in Kathmandu. Nepal army's bomb disposal team had diffused the bombs in other schools. However, no human casualties have been reported from the explosions.
Issuing a statement Tuesday, The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) expressed its serious concern over schools and schoolchildren being subjected to violence and threat in various forms.
"Schools are meant to be safe havens, whether in the public or private domains, and must remain as areas where children can learn and grow up in safe and happy environment free from any violence and threats," said Tomoo Hozumi, UNICEF Nepal Representative in the statement.
The statement further said that children should not be victimized or targeted due to differences in ideologies of adults. Condemning the violation of children's fundamental right to education, UNICEF urged all the parties to adhere to the commitments they have made repeatedly to uphold the obligations of the international treaties and conventions on child rights.
"All the political parties in Nepal have signed on a commitment to 'Keep Children Safe' under any circumstances, including the time of political tension, and to let children and schools remain as Zones of Peace," the statement mentioned.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has condemned explosion and planting of bombs in different schools. Issuing a statement, the ministry said getting quality education was children's right and for that schools should be allowed to operate without any obstruction and in a fearless environment.
Condemning the attack, the National Human Rights Commission has also urged the government to take stern action against the culprits behind the bomb explosions. Various other organizations have also condemned the attack demanding safe and peaceful environment for students.
The Nepal Police's Metropolitan Police Office has arrested two persons who were allegedly involved in planting and explosion of bombs in schools.
According to police, the duo tried to extort money from the schools by spreading bomb terror.