RAUTAHAT: Shops that remained close in Gaur, the district headquarters of Rautahat, since mid-August have started reopening on the eve of festive season. As Dashain festival kicked off today, shopkeepers voluntarily opened their businesses in the major market areas today. Business activities in Gaur and other adjoining rural areas were paralysed for almost two months due to an indefinite general shutdown called by the agitating Madhesi parties. With the resumption of business activities and shop opened, people were seen thronging markets to buy daily supplies and other commodities for the festival. Shops, however, face shortage of commodities due to two-month long shutdown, said a shopkeeper in Gaur. On the other side, the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF)'s decision to continue the ongoing has generated fear among the local business community. Cadres of the UDMF staged protest at Gaur-Bairganiya and continued obstruction at the Nepal-India border today as well.