Although there were a few customers in the morning, the shops were near deserted in the afternoon, the traders said. [break]
One of the traders, Samshul Miya of Bhanja Meat Suppliers, said that last year it was difficult to meet the demand of the customers with me=utton from about 25 goats. But this year, the trader said, the situation was just opposite with the shop unable to sell off mutton from about a dozen goats. Some shops closed down in Narayangarh on Dashain day last unable maintain the supply.
The traders attribute the cause to the spread of viral fever. The flow of patients to the hospitals has increased in recent days. Patients suffering from fever and jaundice are occupying the beds of hospitals which are feeling the pinch.
"Three of my eight family members are bed-ridden due to fever," said Balram Adhikari of Chhetrapur, Narayangarh. "I used to bring mutton every day in the past but this time I do it only on alternate days."
The traders said that cost of mutton has not increased because of the lack of sale. There are about a dozen meat shops in Narayangarh.
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