Private sector condemns attack on Ncell

The private sector has shown serious concern on increasing attacks on entrepreneurs and businesses of late.

Condemning the attack on telecom service provider Ncell's head office at New Baneshwor, Krishna Tower today, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) said that an attack on any company or individual is not tolerable. "We strongly condemn the attack on a multinational company like Ncell," it said, adding that the trend of attacking a company due to disputes in another firm is also condemnable.

A group of 35-40 people close to the CPN-Maoist attacked Ncell's head office at New Baneshwor this afternoon.

A series of such physical attacks have saddened the private sector and discouraged them due to the deteriorating security situation in the country, it added. "It will send a negative message to the international community."

The country, that is passing through a transition phase, has to provide security to businesses and industries and encourage them to invest, which will help generate employment and contribute to the economy.

"However, the trade unions affiliated to various political parties have been indulging in such criminal activities and the political parties are encouraging them," the umbrella organisation of the private sector said, adding that the political parties should be responsible and not encourage impunity and help establish law and order in the country. "Otherwise, the country that is working hard to attract investment will witness capital and human resources flight," it added.

FNCCI has also asked the government to book the culprits immediately.

A group of unidentified persons today afternoon vandalised the Ncell head office Krishna Towers, damaging its property and inflicting minor injuries to three staff. "The incident has shocked the company," reacted corporate communication director at Ncell Sanju Koirala.

“Such attack on the company when there were number of customers in the Ncell Center and other parts of the building is a gross inhumane act," she said, adding that the company strongly condemn such attacks.

“The incident has raised a serious question over law and order situation in the country and the company seeks the state to take the situation seriously and punish the wrongdoers as per the law," she added.

Some of the people, referring themselves as former staff of Nepal Satellite Company, have been staging protests at Ncell in the past, demanding its management to reinstate them. "But Ncell is a totally different business entity," Koirala added.

The regular attacks on business and enterprises in the recen past will not only foreign but also the domestic investors, the FNCCI said.

A week back, hotelier BK Shrestha was attacked by a group of trade union workers affiliated to UCPN-Maoist at Bhanimandal, in Lalitpur. Similarly, president of Nepal Bankers' Association Rajan Singh Bhandari was also attacked by a gang of criminals who are still at large.