BUTWAL: The Akhil Samajwadi Rupandehi, affiliated with Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav,’ surrounded the Butwal Sub-Metropolitan Office demanding free sanitary pads for school-level students.

Despite meeting with Mayor Khelraj Pandey before the start of the new academic session and submitting a 14-point memorandum including the provision of sanitary pads, the organization claims that their request was ignored until June 14, prompting the protest.

Addressing the gathering, Bishnu Raut, Lumbini Province co-in-charge of Akhil Samajwadi, criticized the irresponsible act of sparking a dispute over whether to provide pads to private schools while neglecting community school students.

Raut argued that the irresponsibility of the local authorities has resulted in the federal budget being frozen and students being unable to access sanitary pads.

Padam C, Rupandehi coordinator of the organization, warned that if free sanitary pads are not provided immediately, the sub-metropolitan office will be locked down.

The organization used school-age students during the protest.