After the business community's announcement of 'decisive protest', Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Tuesday has invited agitating businessmen for talks. In the cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, the PM also instructed Home Minister to maintain security and take action against the lawbreakers.
However, industrialists have said that they would not go in talks without formal invitation. Stating that there was no trust in the words of political leaders, the agitators said they would continue the protest until the government go into action on their demands. On the other hand, Chairman of CPN-Maoist has reacted that royalist elements were blowing the strike of business community out of proportions.
The agitating businessmen and the industrialists have declared that ongoing movement would be the last and decisive one. Addressing the mass gathering at Basantapur Darbar square of the capital on Tuesday, they said they would continue agitating until the government would go to an action rather than ‘false’ commitment'.
Addressing the mass, President of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCC) Chandi Raj Dhakal said that this agitation would be the last one resulting in success. He also stated the business community took to the street for the establishment of rule of law.
Another industrialist Binod Kumar Chaudhari accused seven political parties, Maoist and the government of doing underestimate to the industrial sectors grievances. He also strongly demanded the maintenance of security.
On the occasion, President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Surendra Bir Malakar, Nepal Bar Association’s former president Shambhu Thapa, Prakash Shrestha, Umesh Shrestha, , Dr. Sudha Sharma and Yogendra Shakya, among others addressed the gathering.
The gathering of businesspersons converted to a city rally which concluded at Maitighar in the capital. Business community was irked after Maoist cadres affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) beat up two businessmen after abducting them from Kathmandu two three days ago. The industrialists were more offensive to the government when they fail to get PM’s presence in Baluwatar on Monday for meet.
The Industrialists have demanded immediate end of abduction, vandalism, extortion, padlocking, maintenance of security and punishment to those involved in the criminal act, and assurance of conducive environment to operate business and withdrawal of property seized by the Maoists.
There was a wide participation in the mass meeting and rally. Total 71 organizations both- professional and business have expressed solidarity in businessmen’s agitation.
Strike affects life
The general strike called by the business community for an indefinite period affected life on Tuesday. All industries, factories, import-export, education institutions, transport, and businesses remained closed through out the country.
More than 70 organizations including the FNCCI, Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) halted all their operations.
Life in Kathmandu saw a disruption in daily activities as most of the shops in marketplaces were shut down and vehicular movement was disturbed on the streets.
Prachanda’s sniffing
CPN-M chairman Prachanda has accused that royal elements were involved in the protest staged by business community on Tuesday.
Talking to the media people in Dhangadhi on Wednesday, Prachanda said that the beating up of a businessman by Maoist cadres had been blown out of proportions. He also alleged royalists of inciting the current protest of the businessmen.
Prachanda also accused that hotelier Hari Shrestha – who was thrashed by a group of workers led by Maoist cadres – was anti-worker. He, however, has already apologized for use of force against the businessman in Kathmandu and committed of investigation and action.
‘Two members expelled’
On the same day businessmen protested, the Maoist affiliated trade union, All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF) has claimed that it took action against two of its cadres suspending from the union for their involvement in the thrashing of hotelier Shrestha.
Salik Ram Jamarkattel chairman of ANTUF claimed that Deepak Rai and Mukunda Neupane were found involved in the incident and action has been initiated against them. Jamarkattel also claimed that the federation had never been involved in extortions in the past and that it had no plans to engage in extortion, intimidation and use of force.
UML expresses solidarity
CPN-UML, a major constituency of ruling allies has expressed its solidarity with the business community. The UML has also asked Home Minister to step down if he could not maintain law and order.
Speaking at the parliament on Tuesday, UML's standing committee member Bharat Mohan Adhikary asked Home Minister Sitaula to resign from his position. He suggested Sitaula either to guarantee the law and order or clear the way opining that it was wrong for the Home Minister not to meet with the delegation of business community.
Earlier On Monday, the delegation of business community was barred from meeting with PM and Home Minister.
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