A local leader of the CPN (Maoist) has refuted reports that Dabur Nepal Pvt. Ltd—one of the leading joint venture companies in the country—has closed down its factory due to extortion threats from it.

A statement issued by Ashish, Secretary of the CPN (Maoist) Parsa district unit, on Saturday said his party had not threatened Dabur Nepal and that it had “requested Dabur Nepal for voluntary contribution only.”

Interestingly, Ashish has also urged all the factories to resume their operations on a regular basis “keeping in view of valid demands and problems being faced by factory workers.”

He further clarified that the programmes by the CPN (Maoist) and its sister organization, All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF), were different in nature.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement issued on Saturday, president of ANTUF, Shalik Ram Jamarkattel, refuted reports that his organization had demanded any donation from any industrialist or businessmen in Bara and Parsa districts.

He also refuted reports that his organization had demanded a “donation” of whopping Rs 100 million (approx. USD 1.4 million) from Dabur Nepal.

“We condemn the false allegation,” said Jamarkattel. “Our organization has not been involved in any sort of intimidation and beating of industrialists as reported in some media,” he added.

Dozens of industries including Dabur Nepal, Triveni Spinning Mills, Jagadamba Steel, Shiva Shakti Ghee Industry, Rajesh Metal and Narayani Rolling Mills have closed down their operations since Friday amid extortion threats from Maoist-affiliated ANTUF, according to reports.

The officials are yet to comment on the episode.