Nepalgunj, January 31:

Though the Ministry of Industries had asked the Maoists and their sister organisations to vacate buildings that they have been occupying in different industrial areas in the country, 24 buildings in Pokhara, three in Hetauda and one in Patan are still under their control.

Speaking at a press meet here today, Giriraj Bhandary, general manager of Industrial Area Management Committee, said the Maoists had vacated only the buildings in Balaju and Nepalgunj industrial areas so far. “We have directed the forceful occupants to vacate the buildings by February 11. If they defied our direction, we would vacate the buildings by using force,” he added. He also said security situation in the industrial areas had deteriorated after the Maoist sister organisations started forcefully operating from there. “I urge them to help create smooth environment in the industrial areas. We will be forced to take severe actions if anyone disrupts our attempt to ensure peace and security there,” Bhandary said.

“The YCL had run seven detention camps in Balaju industrial area. We can still see traces of blood on the walls of the buildings occupied by them,” he said, adding: “A political party that cannot ensure industrial security has no right to stay in the government.”

He also said preparations were on to provide uninterrupted electricity supply to the industrial areas in Hetauda, Dharan and Butwal from separate feeders.

A go-down rented by Bijaya Metal in Nepalgunj industrial area had been seized by the Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Workers’ Organisation since August 2007. It was vacated only after several requests.