Birgunj, January 30:

Maoists have abducted ten contractors involved in supplying labourers to local industries of Bara district accusing them of working against the labourers’ interest.

Among those arrested are Jagadish Thakur, Hair Shankar Thakur and Anil Thakur of Hulas Steels, Deepak Nepal and Deepak Thakur of Nepal Boards, Gyanendra Dhakal of Surya Nepal, Nabin Yadav of Jagadamba Chemicals, Sunil Puri of Nandan Ghee, Prem Shrestha of Shalimar Paints and Gajendra Chaudhari of Ganapati Ghee, a joint statement issued by the secretary of Maoist aligned All Nepal Trade Union (ANTU) Ramesh Pant and central coordinator of ANTU Sona Lal Shah said.

It is, however, not known since when the contractors are in the Maoist captivity. The Maoists have put forward a list of conditions like an end to contractual labour system, permanent appointment to the labourers, work permit system for foreign workers and other demands for the release of the abducted contractors.

Issuing an ultimatum to meet their demand, the Maoists had warned of action against the industries in last August. However, they had suspended their action after the Maoists declared unilateral ceasefire in September.

“We have been urging the industries concerned to provide all legal facilities to the workers,” chairman of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries Bijay Sarawagi said. “But have not succeeded to persuade all the industries for the same.”

SSP at the Zonal Police Office, Birgunj, Manoj Kumar Shah said he came to know about the abduction through the media. “We haven’t received any information yet from the abductees’ families or from the industries concerned,” he said.