Rahul Vai, Things reach their tipping points after some time. The Malle episode was an event which too has added to the frustrations of people trying to do business in Nepal. On a larger note, people in Nepal have been writing about and complaining against businessmen being beaten up/looted/extorted by the Maist for a long time. Here's what I, for one, said to a Nepali writer writing an op-ed piece in The New York Times in 2003. QUOTE "Tourism, a mainstay of the Nepali economy, has been hit hard, as have primary sources of foreign exchange like textile and carpet manufacturing. "Business people are scared of the Maoists, who appear relentless in their efforts to destroy factories by setting them on fire," said Ashutosh Tiwari. "They rob banks, call for nationwide strikes and extort money — called a `Maoist tax' — from business people." UNQUOTE Nov. 10 2003, The New York Times Source: - http://www.genocidewatch.org/NepalDarkDays.htm So it's not like people did not know about Maoists' excesses against businesses before. It's just that things have reached a boiling point now -- and people are streaming against the Maoists. I think the Hari Shrestha episode is a tipping point in turning so many members of the business community against the Maoists. oohi ashu