KATHMANDU: The UCPN-Maoist affiliated workers and former executives of the Pashupati Area Development Trust today warned that they were ready to pay any cost to chase away the Indian priests from the Pashupatinath Temple if the government continued turning down their demands.

Such a warning comes a day after the Ministry of Culture recommended the Prime Minister, who is also the patron of PADT Council, to appoint two Indian priests in the shrine despite mounting pressure from the agitators.

Jumping into the protest bandwagon backed by the Maoists, more than 300 employees aligned to National Employees Organisation, All Nepal Sanitation Workers Union and Independent Sanitation Workers Union seconded the demands. The employees, barring member secretary, treasurer and members of PADT, decided to continue with the protests sporting black bands around the arms.

"We've been pressing the ministry to appoint priests following due procedures of an open competition," said Rewati Raman Adhikari, president of NEO adding that they were also in favour of the appointment of Nepali priests. He also alleged that the recommendation was not in consonance with Priest Appointment Regulations-2066.

The Priest Appointment Joint Struggle Committee has submitted an objection letter to the Office of the Prime Minister demanding an early withdrawal of the decision. "We'll stage fast-onto-death as the last resort to make the government and PADT to give in to our genuine demands," read the letter.

The protesters have been padlocking all the departments under the PADT, bringing the day-to-day official works to a complete halt from the past three days. Due to the reason, the PADT is inflicting a loss of at least Rs 2 lakh of revenue collection daily as all four tourist counters have been padlocked. Rs 500 is charged to each tourist for allowing entry to the Pashupati area. The employees' association also decided to urge the PAJSC to open the padlocks so as not to hamper the revenue collection.

Meanwhile, speaking at a function organised in the capital today, Paramananda Shakya, former member secretary of PADT who is also the co-coordinator of PAJSC, warned that they would carry on with their protests until the government and concerned authorities fulfilled their demands. Their three-point demands include appointment of Nepali priests in the vacant posts, maintaining transparency of the devotees' offerings in the shrine and provision of monthly pay for priests (Bhattas) and Bhandaris (attendants of priests).