PHIDIM: The Nepal Trade Union Congress today halted operation at Phidim branch of Machhapuchhre Bank, demanding to reinstate employees fired or transferred by the management recently.

The bank management had fired six and transferred 36 of its employees recently, referring to their involvement in formation of the trade union.

The agitating cadres said they would close the bank until the management agreed to reinstate the employees from early in the morning.

According to Police Inspector Rabiraj Thapaliya, a debate occurred between police and the union cadres when police said the protesters would be arrested for vandalising the bank property.

Bank's Branch Manager Tek Bahadur Basnet was also blocked from entering the office.

In a circular issued by the Union, its Vice-Chair Ekraj Bhandari stated that they were just trying to pressurise the bank to take their decision of dismissing their employees back.