The business community of Morang staged a demonstration in Biratnagar on Wednesday, demanding security in the wake of the murder of Sarad Kumar Gauchan, the president of Federation of Contractors’ Association Nepal.

Gauchan was shot dead in the Capital on Monday.

Prakash Mundhuda, vice-chairman of Morang Merchant’s Association, said if a person can be shot dead in a broad daylight in the Capital city, what hope was there for the people living outside Kathmandu.

Gauchan’s murder is a serious concern for all citizens, not just the business community of this country, Mundhuda added, urging the government to put a strong security arrangements in place.

Mukesh Upadhyaya, president of Chamber of Industries Morang, said frequent incidents of abduction, extortion and murder of businesspersons and traders were discouraging signs for the country’s economy and trade. It is high time that the government and security agencies woke up to put an end to the state of lawlessness, he demanded, condemning Gauchan’s murder. 

Meanwhile, Morang Contractors Association submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba through Morang Chief District Officer, demanding that the perpetrators behind Gauchan’s murder be arrested and brought to justice at the earliest.

Santosh Dhungana, the president of the association, said that they had decided not take part in any of tender bidding process and halt all development constructions until the people behind the incident are made public.