BIRATNAGAR: The three-day general strike enforced by the UCPN-Maoist inflicted a loss of over Rs 600 million to the industries of Sunsari-Morang Industrial Corridor.

All the industries in the corridor remained shut for all the three days.

Dinesh Golchha, chairman, Industrial organisation Morang, informed that the everyday loss of the industries was more than Rs 200 million during this strike. According to him, dozens of industries of jute, soap, noodles, wire and others were badly affected due to the bandh. There are more than 550 industries here. He lamented as raw materials worth thousands of rupees that were being ferried from India and third countries were damaged after the vehicles were stranded in the border area.

The industries and factories also could not take their already produced goods to the market due to the strike.

Demanding to declare the corridor strike-free zone, the entrepreneurs said that the industries would otherwise go to dogs in near future.

Industrialist and CA member Moti Dugad said that there was not any benefit of bandh to the industries but a long-term and adverse impact on the country’s economy. He also emphasised for consensus for the political stability in the country. No revenue was collected from the Biratnagar Customs Office in the three days. According to customs officer Gopal Khatri, the office collects over Rs 50 million revenue in a normal day. Meanwhile, locals of Nuwakot forced the closure of Trishuli and Battar bazaars to protest the frequent bandh and strike. The locals enforced the bandh from the afternoon till evening. Protesting Maoist cadres vandalised an ambulance of Nepal Red Cross Society Surunga branch in Kakarbhitta of Jhapa district yesterday night. The bandh enforcers also vandalised a government office in Gaighat in Udayapur today.