Reopening of factories demanded

PARSA, SEP 25 -

Stakeholders in two closed industries — Birgunj Sugar Mill and Agricultural Tools Factory — staged a protest, disrupting traffic on the Tribhuvan Highway. The protestors demanded reopening of the factories.

The protestors, including farmers, representatives from political parties and former workers of the factories, placed benches and banners on the road and shouted slogans against the government’s move to close down the factories a decade ago. They also cautioned the government not to misappropriate the land that belonged to the factories.

The local administration mobilised the police to lift the road blockade, but to no avail.

Addressing a meet organised on the highway, leaders from political parties, struggle committee members and former factory workers warned of a decisive protest if the government did not pay heed to their demands.

The protestors also announced the second phase of their protest programme. According to the struggling committee, they will organise similar protests in front of Birgunj Sugar Mill on Wednesday.

Efforts made by the Maoist-led government three years ago to open Birgunj Sugar Mill and Hetauda Textile Factory had gone in vein after that government was toppled.

The Finance Ministry has said the government is working on creating an environment for the reopening of the sugar mill as pert Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai’s direction.

Source: The Kathmandu Post