Businessmen warn of agitation

Leaders of business community have warned of street agitation unless the government assures of security in the industrial sector within 48 hours.

They issued the warning after a businessman Shashi Kanta Agrawal was shot by unidentified assailants in New Baneshwore on Tuesday. They opened fire when Agrawal, who is the president of Nepal Sugar Industries Association, was heading to his home at around 9 am. He was injured in his leg.

Addressing an impromptu press conference, Tuesday afternoon, in front of Norvic Hospital – where Agrawal has been receiving treatment for gunshot wounds in his leg – president of Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Binod Kumar Chaudhary, president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) Surendra Bir Malakar and president of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Chandi Raj Dhakal asked the government to provide security.

"The continued insecurity is unacceptable. The government must not be focused on political issues alone," said Dhakal.

Malakar lambasted the home administration of inefficiency and asked the government to identify and take action against the culprits who opened fire at Agrawal at the soonest.

Chaudhary accused the government of failing to provide security and create industry-friendly environment.

He said that the two-weeks-long indefinite bandh in Terai has already caused losses to the tune of Rs 4 billion. nepalnews.com sd Feb 27 08