The Industrial Security Group (ISG), at a press conference Friday in Kathmandu , condemned the closure of business establishments in Nepal by the Maoists.

Saying the Maoists’ use of terror against various industries and Nepali workers to achieve political goals is a total violation of international norms, the international community urged the rebels to lift the strike with immediate effect and to allow the businesses to operate freely.

The press conference was organized jointly in the British Embassy, Kathmandu by the Industrial Security Group. The ISG comprises representatives of the Embassies of France, Germany , India , UK, the US and their bilateral Chambers of Commerce and Industries in Nepal .

Ambassadors of the US, UK, France, Germany and Denmark were present in the press conference. Denmark chairs the European Union. There was no representative from the Indian embassy.

The Maoist-affiliated trade union – ANFTU – have threatened 47 leading industries in Nepal to close down citing reasons like labour exploitation and investment by the US, India and the royal family.

The Maoists have been fighting the Nepalese government since 1996 in a bid to set up a republican state. nepalnews.com pd Sep 10 04