Kathmandu, May 22

The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) is going to organize a mass gathering for national harmony on Wednesday evening at Basantapur of Kathmandu.

The umbrella organization of the Nepalese business community is organizing the mass gathering for creating national harmony.

The FNCCI said that the event is being organized to prevent the possible ethnic violence in the country due to the debate on the issue of state restructuring.

According to the FNCCI secretariat, wishing peace and national harmony, candles will be lighted after the mass meeting at Basantapur.

Earlier, the FNCCI had formally urged the agitating strikers to call off the nationwide strike and bandh and chose an alternative means to fulfill their demands considering the adverse impact of such activities on the national economy and lives of the people.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has criticized the forceful closure of industries and businesses by the strikers.

Issuing a press release on Tuesday, the CNI also condemned the assaults on independent journalists and media houses by the organizers of the strike.

Similarly, the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) also showed its concern over the continued general strike organized by various ethnic groups and communities.

In a press statement, NATTA said that the Nepalese tourism industry has been badly affected by the continuous strikes. According the association, around 60 per cent tourists who came to Nepal were returning home by shortening their trips.

Similarly, around 50 per cent potential tourists from the third countries have cancelled their plans to visit Nepal due to the strikes being organized in the country.

NATTA has also urged one and all not to opt for any form of strike and bandh as a means of getting their demands fulfilled. The association also stressed the need for maintaining harmony among the various ethnic communities in the country.