Biratnagar, January 5:

Businessmen in Biratnagar have formed an alliance to stand against acts of extortion, intimidation and vandalism.

The industrialists’ move comes in the wake of increasing threats to them from different groups for quite some time. Birat Trade Association at a press conference today said that the

businessmen had resolved to stand unitedly against extortion and intimidation. They said they were forced to take the step as they were facing death threats while failing to ‘donate’ the demanded amount.

Twenty one different professional organisations have agreed to form the defensive units, said president of the joint trade agitation committee Dhruba Dahal. He added that the units would gather immediately if any of them faces any trouble by extortioners.