Janakpurdham, Feb 17:

Staffers of Janakpur Cigarette Factory (JCF) today closed the factory to protest the killing of Narendra Khati, one of their colleagues, by a gang of Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha (Jwala Singh) yesterday.

The factory staffers took the body round the city, demanding action against the guilty and guarantee of security for workers. The agitators also closed the Janakpur bazaar. JTMM-J cadres had shot at Khati while he was heading to his home at Kishorinagar in Janakpur-2 last night. A critically injured Khati died on the way to hospital.

The Factory Workers’ Association of JCF and Factory Workers’ Union (FWU) have demanded strict action against the guilty.

“We would be forced to announce strong protests if they guilty were not punished and if the workers’ security were not guaranteed,” a statement issued by FWU said.