Short Relief
The business community warns it will re-launch agitation if eight parties do not fulfill their commitments
By A CORRESPONDENT
This time the business community got what it wanted through its agitation. After huge participation and wide solidarity for its agitation, the eight parties were compelled to issue a joint statement stating they were ready to ensure atmosphere conducive for conducting normal business activities.
The business community halted their indefinite strike on March 21 after the top leaders of eight parties expressed written commitment to ensure conducive environment for conducting business activities. The business community decided to halt their strike for the time being. They have warned to continue their agitation if the commitment is not put into practice. They have also decided to form talks team to hold talks with Maoists and the government.
“We now hope that there will be conducive environment for the business activities as both the Prime Minister and Maoist chairman have also given us assurances,” said Surendra Bir Malakar, president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC).
The eight party commitment followed their separate meetings with the Prime Minister and Prachanda – both of whom urged them to withdraw strike.
In his interaction with agitated businessmen, Prachanda said his party was trying to come in the competitive politics and he was saddened by such incidents which are not in accordance with the official party policy. “We have felt that there is a big communication gap between us and the business community,” he said assuring the community of all cooperation in future.
The businessmen had launched indefinite strike closing down private sector after the Maoists abducted two businessmen from the capital, tortured them and demanded extortions. Hotelier Hari Shrestha and printing press entrepreneur Suresh Malla were abducted by Maoist supporters. Later, the Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF) informed that it had suspended two of its members – Deepak Rai and Mukunda Neupane – for their involvement in the incident of beating of Shrestha.
Meanwhile, on March 21 itself, the Maoists also held a massive demonstrations in the capital city. Thousands of workers affiliated with Maoists’ trade unions took to the streets demanding action against “black-listed and exploitative businessmen.” The pro-Maoist workers also locked up hotels and forced staffs out for some hours.
The indefinite strike of business enterprises and private sector called by the business community led by FNCCI, Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) had affected normal life across the country on March 20 and 21. Shops, department stores, banks and industries remained closed down. The business community even received support from other parties including the UML.
For the time being, business community has withdrawn agitation. But events of last week show that the community – which rarely takes to streets – was forced to come out amid mounting pressures from the Maoists’ activities like labor unrest, extortion, intimidation and even abduction. At a time when Maoists are poised to join the government, the agitation was a blot on their credentials.
OHCHR Insists On Full Probe
Referring to the recent exhumation of bones thought to be that of Maina Sunuwar, who was killed in army custody, the OHCHR-Nepal has insisted that there be full probe.
“While the exhumation is a positive development, it is essential that police complete a thorough investigation, with full cooperation from the NA,” said a press release by the Office.
“A team from OHCHR-Nepal on Friday (March 23) monitored the exhumation of the remains thought to be those of Maina Sunuwar, the 15-year-old girl who was allegedly tortured and died in the custody of the (Royal) Nepalese Army (NA) in February 2004. The team was accompanied by an international forensic expert, who assisted forensic pathologists from the Department of Forensic Medicine at the Teaching Hospital in the exhumation after an official request was received.”
The remains were exhumed from the grounds of the NA’s Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre in Panchkhal, Kavre District, where military personnel are trained before being deployed on UN peacekeeping missions. “The exhumation marks a crucial step in the criminal investigation launched by police into the girl’s death, which has been stalled for many months due to the NA challenging the jurisdiction of civilian authorities over the case as well as the reluctance of authorities to proceed with an investigation.” As part of a court martial, the NA in September 2005 found three military personnel guilty of failing to dispose of the body properly. “However, details regarding the court martial and the NA’s court of inquiry investigation that preceded it have never been made public. The NA has also failed to provide court of inquiry and court martial documentation to OHCHR despite repeated requests,” the release said.
