Birgunj, April 1:

Demanding punishment to those involved in the attack yesterday on the vehicle of Ramesh Kedia, proprietor of the Kedia group, the Industrial and Commerce Union of Birgunj has given a 48-hour ultimatum to the local administration today.

In a memorandum to the Chief District Officer (CDO) Nabin Kumar Ghimire today, the union asked the authorities to arrest the culprits and punish them wthin 48 hours.

The union also warned of protests if its demand was not met within the deadline. The memorandum, signed by union president Bijay Sarabagi, said yesterday’s incident has badly affected industrial and commercial areas here. The union also demanded curbing of criminal activities and the creation of a secure environment in the realms of industry and commerce.

CDO Ghimire said the local administration was active in ensuring security.

One Chhote Lal of Bihar, India, has owned the responsibility for the attack on Kedia. Talking over the telephone with journalists, Lal said that as the Kedia group did not provide the cash demanded of it, the attack on Kedia took place. Lal’s gang had demanded Rs 5 million from the Kedia group.