Traffic from Nepal affected as Dharchula, Jhoolaghat market feel the pinch

Traffic from Nepal affected as Dharchula, Jhoolaghat market feel the pinch

B.D.Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, Sept 10

The Indian markets of Dharchula and Jhoolaghat on Indo-Nepal border in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand which attract large number of customers from neighbouring Nepal everyday, are  deserted for the past two days due to prevailing law and order situation.

Although Indo-Nepal bridges at Jhoolaghat and Dharchula on river kali which forms the border between the two countries, are open but witnessed much less traffic in the past two days. Interestingly, two years ago,some Nepalese youths broke the signboard installed by Prime Minister in Nepal adjoining the border. “After the events on September 9, the Indian border guarding force of Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB) increased its strength at Indo- Nepal border bridge at Jhoolaghat, ” said a SSB official in Jhoolaghat.

The taxi services from Nepal have also been affected. “It is all due to wrong policies of Prime Minister Oli, who after getting power in the name of common man, started neglecting common Nepalese,” charged Trilok Singh Thapa, president of taxi union in Baitari, Nepal.

Thapa has stopped taxi operation from Baitari district headquarter to Jhoolaghat Market India for security and safety reasons. “We have almost  90 percent clients from Nepal those are not reaching out shops from last two days resulting into a deserted Jhoolaghat Market,” said Prem Prakash Bhatt, a shopkeeper in Jhoolaghat Market.

A sizeable Nepalese population residing in border towns of Jhoolaghat, Dharchula and Jauljibi is keeping mum on the events of riots in Nepal but keeping a watch on the situation.

Ganesh Chand, a resident of village Budda, in Baitari district of Nepal, said that Prime Minister Oli, not only deceived new generation of Nepal but also spoiled Indo- Nepal relations to play pity politics. “He came in the name of prosperity but started diverting new generations attention by playing India baiting card, “said Ganesh Chand.

Mahesh Baral, a Nepalese businessman doing business in Pithoragarh town, said that most of Nepalese youths, residing inside Indian territory, are in support of the agitation by new generation in Nepal and wants a stable government there that could cater to the aspirations of poor people of that country.

“The migration of Nepalese to foreign countries for pity jobs increased after the Maoist came in power, that is why every youth and intellectual in our country is supporting the movement being run by youths, “said Baral.

Padam Baral, a resident of Darchula district of Nepal, said that the present movement is due to high corruption prevailing amongst the ruling elites of Nepal led by communist of Oli and Nepalese Congress and will settle only after a government emerged that could feel needs of poor in country and cater to their their minimum needs, ” said Padam Baral.