Also, around 50 entrepreneurs staged a sit-in program at Bir Hospital, where Chahan died while undergoing surgery. The protesters demanded that government arrest the culprits and take stringent actions against them.[break]
Earlier, the agitating businessmen had prevented the family members from receiving the body of Chachan. However, the family members accepted the body only after Inspector General of Police Ramesh Chand Thakuri visited the hospital and promised to take actions against the culprits within 10 days.
"Businessmen are being killed almost every day but the government has done nothing to improve law and order situation. We condemn this apathy and urge the government to take urgent action against culprits," said Suresh Kumar Basnet, president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC).
Two unidentified persons posing as customers entered Chachan´s shop at Ganabahal and opened fire at him on Sunday at 7 pm. Chachan received two bullets to his stomach and right hand and succumbed two hours later at around 9 pm while undergoing emergency abdomen surgery.
NCC that led the protest said it lasted till 2 pm, however, in New Road, Kalimati, Indra Chowk, Ganabahal and adjoining areas businesses did not return to normal till late evening.
"If the protest lasted long, it is because traders are really angry and concerned," Basnet told Republica, and criticized the government for failing to instill a sense of security in the business community.
Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) too flayed the government for not being serious towards the safety of businessmen. "More than 160 businessmen were killed year last alone, and the trend still continues. This is a serious problem," said Suraj Vaidya, senior vice president of FNCCI.
FNCCI and NCC leaders brought up Chachan´s murder before Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal and asked him to ensure that the culprits are brought to justice. "We called off our strike for 10 days after he assured us of punishing the culprits," said Basnet. If nothing happened, he said, NCC will re-launch the strike and announce protest programs.
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