Birjung based industries resumed operation from Monday after they entered into a dialogue with the Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Federation of Trade Unions (ANFTU).

Birgunj-based industrialists had shut their factories for the last two days in protest against an “extortion spree” by the Maoists. Dabur Nepal alone was asked to pay Rs 100 million.

Chandra Baniya, an official at the Birjung Chambers of Commerce and Industries, told Nepalnews over phone that the industries opened after the industrialists reached an agreement with the Maoist affiliated trade Union.

He quoted representatives of trade union as saying that the union has never demanded money from industrialists adding that they only raised the issue of welfare of labourers.

The meeting was still underway till 3:00 p.m. with the modalities for implementation of the agreement reached between the industrialists and Maoist affiliated trade union being discussed.

The Maoists have been collecting forceful donations from industrialists despite their commitment not to do so.