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Maoist rebels bomb 2 Indian-financed firms in southern Nepal
Kathmandu, Jan 27: Maoist rebels overnight detonated bombs at two Indian-financed firms in southern Nepal but caused little damage, an army source said today.
Kathmandu, Jan 27: Maoist rebels overnight detonated bombs at two Indian-financed firms in southern Nepal but caused little damage, an army source said today.
One bomb exploded at Dabur Nepal Limited, a popular herbal and forestry-based company, and the other at Surya Nepal Tobacco Company, both in Birgunj, the source said.
Birgunj is a commercial town south of Kathmandu, just across the border from India's Northern Railway head Raxaul.
"The bomb did not cause major damage to the two industries," said the source, who added that the Maoists had last month demanded 100,000 rupees from Dabur Nepal and 50,000 rupees from Surya Nepal.
The two companies have been built with Indian and international collaboration and generate 3.4 to 4 billion rupees in annual revenues each.
The Indian Tobacco Company (ITC) has a 49 per cent share in Surya Nepal while US and British tobacco companies have shares of one per cent each.
The remaining 49 percent shares are distributed among Nepalese investors, with the royal family holding a 39 per cent stake. Both companies had refused to pay the money demanded by the Maoists.
In another incident, Maoist rebels exploded two powerful bombs in other parts of Birgunj, apparently in a bid to scare off people attending a commemoration meeting for Mayor Gopal Giri, who was killed by rebels on January 15. Maoists shot Giri after he refused to comply with their demand that he pay them 500,000 rupees or resign from his post.
No one was injured in today's bombings.
Bureau Report
Birgunj is a commercial town south of Kathmandu, just across the border from India's Northern Railway head Raxaul.
"The bomb did not cause major damage to the two industries," said the source, who added that the Maoists had last month demanded 100,000 rupees from Dabur Nepal and 50,000 rupees from Surya Nepal.
The two companies have been built with Indian and international collaboration and generate 3.4 to 4 billion rupees in annual revenues each.
The Indian Tobacco Company (ITC) has a 49 per cent share in Surya Nepal while US and British tobacco companies have shares of one per cent each.
The remaining 49 percent shares are distributed among Nepalese investors, with the royal family holding a 39 per cent stake. Both companies had refused to pay the money demanded by the Maoists.
In another incident, Maoist rebels exploded two powerful bombs in other parts of Birgunj, apparently in a bid to scare off people attending a commemoration meeting for Mayor Gopal Giri, who was killed by rebels on January 15. Maoists shot Giri after he refused to comply with their demand that he pay them 500,000 rupees or resign from his post.
No one was injured in today's bombings.
Bureau Report