Maoists shut down industrial estate

The Maoist-affiliated workers have enforced an indefinite shut down in a major industrial estate in eastern Nepal alleging that four pharmaceutical industries operating inside the estate did not meet their demands.

Over twenty industries operating in Dharan Industrial Estate in Sunsari district have remained closed following the Maoists obstruction. The shut down has affected production and distribution of millions-worth daily essential goods every day.

Local Maoist leader said they were forced to shut down the industrial estate as the management of the industries did not pay heed to their demands. Altogether 82 Maoist workers serving in the four pharmaceutical industries padlocked the industries 17 days ago to press for their demand.

Among others, the Maoist workers, in their 14-point demand, have demanded appointment letters, allowance and other perks and facilities as provisioned in the newly enforced Labor Act in the country.

However, the managements of the industries have termed the workers’ demand ‘illegal’ and have said that they cannot meet the demands. The protests from the Maoists’ workers come in the wake of the Maoists launching a series of protest programs against the government.

The former rebels, who fought a decade-long civil war with the state before getting majority seats in the Constituent Assembly held in April, 2008, stepped down from the government in May 2009 after President Dr Ram Baran Yadav reinstated then army chief Rookamangud Katawal sacked by the Maoist-led government.

Since then, the Maoists have been launching a series of protest programs demanding a public apology from the president. The Maoists have also put forth demand of forming national government under their leadership, dismissing the current Madhav Kumar Nepal-led government.

- Asian Tribune -