Nightlife entrepreneurs want restrictions ended

KATHMANDU, Oct 26 - Entrepreneurs who run businesses to promote nightlife called on the Government Saturday to withdraw the restrictions put on them by making it mandatory to close dance restaurants after 11 pm. They claimed the entire sector is at a point of shutting shop altogether, threatening livelihood of ...

...of workers. The agitating nightlife promoters also expressed willingness to help the Government in regulating the businesses, including dance restaurants, discos, pubs and gazal restaurants, with the imposition of a strict code of conduct. On Saturday, they also drafted a code of conduct to make night time businesses more decent.

"The government decision to impose restrictions on nightlife businesses is going to render thousands of workers jobless, as businesses are virtually collapsing every day," said Sameer Gurung, president of Nepal Nightlife Business Entrepreneurs' Association.

"The restrictions, arbitrary raids and detentions have badly violated human rights of businessmen and workers.

Since September 3 the police, under the direction of Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam, have been imposing restrictions on night time restaurants by having to close after 11 pm. Gautam has said that night time restaurants were breeding grounds for crime and they have promoted negative sides of western cultures like naked dances.

Subas Palung, spokesperson of the association said local police and viewers were equally responsible for promoting naked dances.

Add to: del.icio.us | Digg