Pro-Maoist workers manhandle industrialist

KATHMANDU, March 18: Patan Industrial Estate (PIE) remained tense on Friday after Maoist-affiliated trade union leaders, who were enforcing awareness program for workers as a part of their protest plan, manhandled an industrialist.



Cadres of All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF) assaulted Shailendra Lal Pradhan, the owner of Shree Textiles, after the latter refused to allow workers to participate in the awareness program.[break]



According to Pradhan, a group of 40-50 workers carrying banner and flags of ANTUF barged into the factory and physically assaulted him. He said the workers were affiliated with ANTUF´s Lalitpur Unit 2 committee.



“They aggressively thrashed me after I refused to send my workers to attend their program. Activities like this deteriorate investment climate in the country,” said Pradhan, who is also the president of Nepal Plastic Manufacturers´ Association.



FNCCI President Kush Kumar Joshi condemned the incident in strong words and warned that the business people would be forced to close industries across the country if the government failed to bring the culprits to book within a week. "How can we continue industrial activities amid violent activities of workers and non-cooperative attitude of the government?” Joshi wondered.



Ganesh Regmi, central general secretary of ANTUF, however, denied the involvement of his cadres in the incident. “This is just an attempt to distract the ongoing negotiations between representatives of trade unions and FNCCI,” Regmi added.



Meanwhile, Lalitpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Patan Industrial Estate Welfare and Security Committee and Nepal Industrial Estate Industry Federation have condemned the incident. Issuing a joint statement, they have demanded stringent action against those involved in the act.

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