BIRATNAGAR: Biratnagar, the hometown of former prime minister late Girija Prasad Koirala was shrouded in gloom on Sunday following his demise on Saturday.

The city has been closed on learning of Koirala’s death. All the industries in Morang and Sunsari districts remained closed after the call by the Morang Trade Association and the Industrial Association Morang on Sunday.

Over 550 industries in the Morang-Sunsari corridor were shut down to mourn the death of the leader who had started his political career as an industrial worker from Biratnagar, local industrialists said.

Active cadres of NC shaved off their heads to mourn the death of their veteran leader. They shaved off their heads in different places including Bargachhi, Shanihat and Hospital Road.

The news of Koirala's death shocked many people and tributes have been pouring in from almost all quarters of society in the city. People are flocking to the Koirala residence in Hospital Road to condole his death. Condolence books have been kept in his residence and Bargachhi Chowk. Several party cadres and public are expressing their condolences to late Koirala.

Bijay Prasad Mishra, lecturer at Mahendra Mornag Adarsha Multiple Campus said, “Koirala’s death deeply shocked Biratnagar denizens.” People are anxious as Koirala who had the capacity to forge consensus even in the eleventh hour passed away leaving the task of statute draft incomplete, Mishra said.

Shyam Poudel, executive member of the Industrial Association Morang said that the demise of Koirala is an irreparable loss to the nation. “GPK, who used to treat us like family members used to listen to our problems attentively and take initiatives to solve them,” Poudel said, adding that the former PM used to help industrialists to solve the issues related to import-export business.

Dr Madan Koirala said that GPK had a special relationship with Biratnagar. “GPK’s death affects all sectors of society. He was like our member. He used to encourage us in difficult hours. The former PM was so anxious to take the peace process to a logical end that he received top UN officials while the former’s health had deteriorated,” he said.

Yagya Sharma, a journalist said that Koirala’s death shocked the entire nation. He expressed doubt about the task of drafting constitution and forging consensus among the parties going ahead as per schedule in Koirala’s absence.