MORANG: The daily wage labourers at Shitpur in the district are compelled to take loan for hand-to-mouth due to the bandh or the general strike called by the United Madhesi Front.

The district is tense and the life of the people has been badly affected due to ongoing strike for past 15 days. The people of the impoverished dalit community and the daily wage labourers are hit the hardest, said a local Jagdish Sardar.

About 100 dalit families are compelled to take loan in order to meet their day-to-day expenses including food. They have not been able to work for a fortnight as the markets, businesses and transport services are closed due to general strike.

Locals complained that each family already has a debt of Rs 7,000 to 10,000; loan taken to feed their families in these 15 days.

Most of the locals in the village are drivers or workers at sawmill and brick kilns.