UDAYAPUR, NOV 20 - Businessmen from Beltar, the second largest commercial hub of the district, are fleeing the township due to the ongoing insurgency waged by the Maoists.
Around 12 shops are being closed on an average each month as the Maoists have asked a huge amount of donation for the local businessmen, according to a member of the Beltar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).
The business transaction has also been adversely affected following the relocation of Rastriya Banijya Bank and Unit Police Office from Beltar to the district headquarters.
"Earlier, as many as 400 porters used to come at Beltar from Khotang and Bhojpur each day to supply foodstuffs, but the number has decreased to around 40 now," said the local businessmen.
They said that businessmen, who used to make daily transaction of Rs 20-30 thousand two years ago, are now facing difficulty, even to sell the goods worth around Rs 500 daily. Beltar is the main commercial centre of the people living in the south-eastern parts of Khotang and south-western parts of Bhojpur.
The local businessmen, on request of anonymity, said that at a time when the business transaction has remarkably fallen by 60 percent over the years, they have been compelled to pay donation to the Maoists.
The overall business of Beltar will be improved only if the relocated police office and the bank are reestablished in Beltar again, said they.
Talking to The Kathmandu Post, the Chief District Officer, Sita Ram Pokharel said that the district administration has been trying to set up an army camp and a police office to ensure security to the locals.Posted on: 2003-11-19 09:21

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