UDAYAPUR, Oct 10: Katari bazar, the second biggest market of Udayapur, remained shut for the second consecutive day on Tuesday following protests of local shopkeepers and businesspersons against the 'unexpected' market inspection.
Shutting down of the market ahead of Dashain, the greatest festival of Hindus, has caused serious problems to the people here. At a time when everyone is busy managing goods for the celebration, locals of Khotang, Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu and Udayapur are in great trouble Katari is the main market for them to purchase food and clothes.
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Shopkeepers have accused the inspection team sent by the local administration of giving unnecessary torture in the name of market monitoring. Udayapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry has supported them in this move. The chamber has warned of continuing the protest further if the administration keeps the inspection on. Pushkar Khadka, chairperson of the chamber, informed that the protest was enforced strictly on the second day, as the coordinators of nine struggle committees of Katari joined the protest.
As the main purpose of the shutdown was to not allow the team to conduct inspection, locals have accused the shopkeepers of promoting black-market. Agitators have also submitted a memorandum to the mayor of the municipality, Gyanendra Shrestha.
