The donation drive that began at New Road earlier in the day soon spread throughout other business centers of the capital, including Indrachowk, Kalimati, Putalisadak, Kamal Pokhari, Lazimpat and Thamel, which compelled businessmen to pull down their shutters to avoid confrontation with the Maoists. [break]
According to an official at Bishal Bazaar Management Committee, the Maoist cadres approached business outlets in groups and contrary to Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal´s statement, demanded donations ranging from Rs 7,000 to Rs 100,000. Not even small retail outlets were spared.
“It was unsafe to say no. And because their demand was higher than what I profit on a day, it seemed wise to shut down,” said a shopkeeper at New Road, who chose not to be identified.
Not only retailers, leading banks and financial institutions, also suspended their off-hour services. Banks like Everest, Global and Nepal SBI announced suspension of evening counters and some of them even suspended ATM services. Their notice cited "technical reasons" for suspension of services.
Businessmen who approached Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) to resolve the problem were advised to shut down their businesses.
"Maoist cadres started approaching business outlets individually. Given the fragile security situation, we could not suggest them other options," President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Surendra Bir Malakar told Republica. Malakar said businessmen were terrified.
"We notified the PM´s office about it. Unfortunately, nothing was done to make us feel safe," he added. Later, a delegation of NCC also met President Dr Ram Baran Yadav and urged him to take steps to address the political deadlock and problems faced by the business community.
Dr Yadav assured the businessmen that he would make all possible efforts to address their concerns.
Maoists deny extortion
Meanwhile, the UCPN (Maoist) has denied its involvement in the donation drive.
Making public announcement through mikes throughout the city, the party claimed that their cadres had no involvement in the donation drive.
"In fact, we have been searching for the people who used our party´s name and took advantage of the situation," the party claimed.
Malakar said that he too heard the announcement. "If what the Maoist claim is true, the government and Maoists should work together and find out the culprits and punish them," he said.
Other businessmen, however, refuse to buy the Maoist claim.
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