ILAM, July 22: The market places have remained closed. However, the movement of Indian customers has not ceased yet. They come all the way from Indian hill town Darjeeling to purchase goods of daily necessities at Nepali town Pashupatinagar.

They come to buy rice, beaten rice, noodles and cooking oil and carry them home on ponies and on their backs.

Indian people of Nepali origin are up in arms for the last 35 days after the Indian State of West Bengal made Bengali as the compulsory text in schools.

The transport entrepreneurs of Sandakpur, Jogmai, Manebhanjyang, Shreeantu, Samalbung  do transport dal,  rice,  flour, milk, noodles to the market places bordering on India.

The life in Mirik, Kalempong, Kharsang  including Derjeeling has come to a grinding halt due to Gorkhaland Movement. Vehicles have stayed off the road while market places, shops, schools and factories have remained closed.

There is a shortage of food-stuffs after the West Bengal government imposed an unofficial blockade on the Indian hill region.

 
• darjeeling
 
• pashupatinagar
 
• food stuffs