Surya Nepal Pvt. Ltd., a leading Nepal-India joint venture, has demanded for immediate and unconditional release of its three senior employees abducted by the CPN (Maoist) affiliated trade union from southern district of Bara on Friday.

Issuing a press statement on Monday, the Company asked the Maoists to release them in the interest of justice and abiding by the human rights commitments expressed by the underground outfit. “The employees are innocent and employed themselves at the company for their livelihood,” the statement added.

Maoists abducted chief of the manufacturing division of the Surya Nepal, Prabhakar Bikram Shah and managers Damber Mani Limbu and Sarbajit Rana from Chhata Pipara of Bara district Friday evening.

In its statement, the company said that the company was not involved in the ongoing political conflict and it had a history of excellent employee-employer relationship built over its ‘philosophy of teamwork, trust and transparency.’

“The wages of employees, welfare and benefits are significantly higher than the prescribed rate by the prevailing statutes,” the company added.

Meanwhile, family members of Prabhakar Bikram Shah, production manager of Surya Nepal who was abducted on Friday evening, have appealed for his immediate release.

They have also called on national and international human rights organizations to request Maoists for his immediate release.

Issuing a press statement on Monday, the Industrial Security Group (ISG) also condemned the recent abduction of employees working in industrial and commercial activities and the Maoist threats against them.

Formerly known as Surya Tobacco Company (P) Ltd., Surya Nepal is the largest private sector company in the country. Its promoters include ITC of India and Soaltee Group of Nepal.

With an annual turn over of around Rs three billion, Surya Nepal captures over 60 percent of the Nepali cigarette market. The company is the single largest contributor to the Nepali exchequer, accounting for nearly 4% of the country’s revenue, according to the official website of the Company.

The Maoist rebels had recently abducted a group of contractors working with the company but freed them later. They had also targeted the company’s production plant in the past.

However, Maoists are yet to take the responsibility of their abduction.