Pokhara, January 4:

A total of 55 Industrial plants opened today after a 24-hour shutdown by pro-UML workers who were protesting the attack on pro-UML labour leaders by pro-Maoist workers on Wednesday, chief of the Pokhara industrial area management office Dilip Kumar Shrestha said.

The dispute arose after 12 workers of the Pokhara Noodles were fired and pro-UML labour leaders tried to mediate on the issue.

Pro-Maoist workers said they were trying to take the credit for the negotiations and attacked them as they reached the factory.

Meanwhile, factory manager Babu Ram Panta said the dismissed workers had been reinstated on Wednesday.