Birgunj, September 19:

Hundreds of businessmen from across the country today took out a rally in Birgunj demanding security.

The Federation of Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) organised the rally and sought professional security for industrialists and businessmen to guarantee a safe environment for business.

Issuing the Birgunj five-point Birgunj declaration yesterday, the FNCCI national convention had announced a nationwide protest programme from today.

A rally, which commenced from Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) office premises, later converged into a corner meeting at Ghantaghar chowk today. Addressing the corner meeting, FNCCI chairman Chandiraj Dhakal criticised the government, the Maoists and foreign aid-agencies saying that they were trying to effect chaos in the private sector.

Dhakal lamented that instead of praising the private sector, which is the backbone of national economy, it has been hit hard from all sectors, even after establishment of loktantra.

He said: “The government has failed to guarantee the security of businessmen. In this situation, security of investment is also impossible.”

He also blamed the Nepal Rastra Bank of discouraging the private sector in the name of punishing blacklisted persons.

BCCI chairman Bijay Sarawagi demanded end to all labour strikes in industries until the

election to the constituent assembly is held.

Saying that the government was failing to control criminal activities, the businessmen expressed their concern that they would be displaced if proper security mechanism was not arranged immediately.