FNCCI, NHRC urge political parties to end the culture of bandh

KATHMANDU: As the trend of organizing bandhs (shut-down strikes) is increasing in Nepali politics for fulfilling their petty interest, the political parties failed to pay heed to the plights of economic sector. The economic sector has to face heavy toll for a bandh of one day.

Amid this reality, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has urged all political parties and other stakeholders to bring the culture of bandh to an end.

The FNCCI has expressed its concern over the vandalism and attack on private properties and obstruction in businesses during Sunday’s bandh. “Attacking people’s private properties can never be justified. The Federation condemns such acts,” the statement issued by Apex body of business sector added.

Due to the bandh organized by over 42 political parties in protest of the announcement of Constituent Assembly election date, industries and businesses were forced to close down across the country today. Transportation was also brought to a grinding halt till 5 pm. According to an estimate, Nepal’s faces a loss of over Rs 1.98 billion during a bandh of one day.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission has once again urged the stakeholders to end the culture of bandh, saying it has affected the basic rights of people — including livelihood, education, health and transportation — and the country’s development and economy.

Issuing a statement on Sunday, the rights watchdog said its attention has been drawn towards the nationwide general strike — also called as Nepal bandh — called by CPN-Maoist and other parties in the wake of announcement of Constituent Assembly election date, and its effects on the normal life.

The NHRC urged the government, major parties and other stakeholders to address the demands put forth by the agitating parties through dialogue. An ambulance passes the bandh enforcers in Chabahil of Kathmandu.

The normal life was affected in the major cities of the country due to the bandh imposed by over 40 different political parties in protest of the CA poll date, which they said was announced unilaterally.