Maoists torch Jyoti Spinning Mills

Birgunj, August 18:

Property worth millions of rupees was destroyed when a group of Maoists set ablaze and detonated bomb at the Jyoti Spinning Mills, Parwanipur, last night. The armed group took control of all security guards and employees of the Mills and detonated a powerful bomb at the Mill situated on the premises of Jyoti Firm. Later this afternoon, a Royal Nepalese Army team defused a bomb placed inside the Mills, a press statement issued by the Mills said, adding, the blast has completely damaged the carding machine. Almost 400 tons of ready-made thread and two godowns have been demolished. The Maoists has attempted to torch two loaded trucks but it could be protected, the statement said. Security team from Kalijung Battalion could reach the site only two hours after the incident because of the obstructions kept by the Maoists along the road.

Maoists looted two computer sets and a motorbike from the Mills, said Padma Jyoti, the owner. The Mills has suffered a huge loss and it is not sure when it will reopen, he said.

“They snatched my mobile phone and later returned when I said I was only an overseer in the Mills,” Jyoti said. Maoists, who entered the Mills premises in different groups, took all the mill employees in their control and set it on fire, said Narayan Tiwari, labour officer at the Mills Maoists, however, didn’t harm Himal Irons and Himal Oxygen Industries located on the Jyoti Firm premises. The Maoists had taken about 150 employees, working at the night shift, to a field on the premises and delivered speech as well. Birgunj Chambers of Commerce and Industries, in a press statement today, condemned the incident and urged the Maoists to immediately stop such activities.