FNCCI warns of street protest if govt fails to ensure security

The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) has warned that businessmen would be forced to take to streets if the government does not take concrete steps to give them a sense of security.

Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu Monday, FNCCI chairman Kush Kumar Joshi took the government to task for failing to constitute the 'industrial security force' despite repeated promises by the political parties including the ruling ones.

Mentioning that the Home Minister has assured of some measures in order to improve the security situation in the next few days in the capital valley, Shrestha said the businessmen would be forced to shut down their businesses and take to the streets to pressure the government.

He further said the industrialists and other businessmen have not been able to carry on with their businesses in a fearless environment and that they now have no other choice than to shut down the ventures. "In a situation whereby businessmen have to manage security on their own what use it is to pay tax to the state?" he asked.

According to FNCCI, at least 19 businessmen have been killed, 55 abducted and several of them looted within a year while around four dozen businesses have seen obstruction of one kind or the other. nepalnews.com mk Oct 27 08