Kathmandu: Offices of the sole dealer of Tata vehicles in Nepal has been shut by the Maoists, who are demanding the reinstatement of two workers dismissed by the management for poor performance.

Sipradi Trading Pvt Ltd, the authorised distributor of Tata vehicles in the country, has not been able to conduct business since December 5 when Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Auto Mechanic Workers Union padlocked its offices in different parts of the country.

The company, which was previously owned by King Gyanendra before being transferred to private parties as part of the nationalisation of royal assets, had dismissed Dipendra Regmi and Rajan Lama about a month ago due to their unsatisfactory performance.

The agitating union has demanded the reinstatement of the dismissed staffers as a precondition for dialogue with the company management.

According to the factory sources, the Maoist union has padlocked the head office and service station at Naikap; showroom at Thapathali; and also the service centres at Teku, Soaltee Mode and a spare parts showroom at Kalanki in the national capital region. Showrooms and service centres at Dhangadi, Nepalgunj, Itahari, Butwal, Pokhara and Hetauda have also been closed since December 7.

The loss for the company due to the closure is at least Rs 5 lakh per day.

Source : PTI