Dhangadi, September 28

Normalcy is gradually retuning to Dhangadi, the major trading hub in the far-west after the month-long curfew imposed by the District Administration Office was lifted.

People’s movement has increased with businesses and market places opening their services. The curfew imposed since August 24 had hit daily life hard.

Kailali Assistant CDO Uday Bahadur Singh said DAO had lifted the curfew in Dhangadi for the past three days citing improved security situation. Prohibitory order, however, continues in the area.

Traders and locals from the hilly districts have started flocking to Dhangadi to procure daily essentials.

Local Amar Deuba said people’s movement and supply of goods had resumed following the lifting of the curfew. “Business has improved after a month,” Deuba said.

Meanwhile, life is limping back to normalcy as Tikapur DAO reduced the curfew hour in the area. Tikapur and its nine adjoining VDCs were declared riot-hit zone for the last one month.

The declaration was withdrawn last Friday. With this, Nepali Army personnel deployed in the area have returned to their barracks.

During his recent visit, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala pledged to provide security to the people and punish the guilty involved in Tikapur incident. “The PM’s words have given hope to the local folks,” said Ramesh Rawal of Tikapur.

Mohan Sharma, former general secretary of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kailali chapter, said factories and industries had resumed at Dhangadi and Attariya. Vehicles have embarked on their journey from Dhangadi and Attariya to the hilly districts in the far-west.