Biratnagar, February 19:

Local businessmen of Biratnagar, speaking at a programme organised by the Trade Association Morang today, urged the Maoists to stop extorting money from businessmen.

The programme was attended by Maoist chief Prachanda and other senior Maoist leaders including Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai and Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal.

The businessmen were of the view that the Maoists should stop collecting donations forcibly to free the people from the environment of fear.

Central member of Federation of Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industries Kishor Pradhan and senior vice chairman of Trade Association Morang Shyam Poudel urged the Maoists, when they reach the government, to bring programmes that will help businessmen when they are in government.

Also speaking in the programme, Maoist leader Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai said the Maoists’ economic policy is production and employment generation oriented.

He added that the Maoists would do their best to ensure sustainable development in the country with maximum use of water resources, agriculture, forest and tourism.

He added that once the Maoists are in the government, they would stress on the development of industrial capital and freeing Nepal of poverty and unemployment.