KATHMANDU, Oct 12: Federation of Contractors' Associations of Nepal (FCAN) has denied any monetary dealings or contract dispute as motive in the murder of its president Sharad Kumar Guachan.
Speaking at a press conference in FCAN's office in Anamnagar on Wednesday, former president of the federation, Shakunta Lal Hirachan, who is also coordinator of a protest committee formed by FCAN, ruled out any monetary or contract dealing in Gauchan's murder.
FCAN's denial has come at a time when some media are saying that financial dealing related to contract was one of the motivations behind Guchan's murder.
Bishnu Bhai Shrestha, senior vice-president of FCAN, said that Gauchan had received threats from different groups. “However, he did not take them seriously. But it proved fatal,” he added.
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FCAN executives have also met Minister for Home Affairs, Janardan Sharma, and demanded that the government immediately arrest Gauchan's killer and declare Gauchan martyr.
Shrestha is worried that contractors are likely getting more threats from different groups in the guise of cadres of different political parties for collecting money as election is in the offing.
Construction entrepreneurs also organized a protest rally from Maitighar to New Baneshwar to on Wednesday to pile pressure on the government. They have announced to hold protest programs at Maitighar Mandala, and Koteswor and Kupandol intersections from 9 to 10 am on Thursday. Likewise, FCAN has also announced to stage protest on all highways of the country for an hour from 10 am on Friday.
Similarly, construction entrepreneurs have also halted all construction projects across the country and told the government that they won't participate in any government bidding until Gauchan's murderer is brought to book.
Speaking at the press conference, Gauchan's uncle Omkar Guachan urged FCAN executives to continue to pile pressure on police and added: “They (police) might change the course of investigation like they do in other cases.”
FCAN has refused to receive Gauchan's body so far. However, FCAN officials say that they might receive the body on Thursday as per the family request. Gauchan's uncle requested FCAN to receive the body as final rites starts on the third day of the death as per the Buddhist tradition.
