Lakhimpur Kheri: Amid the on-going border tension between India and Nepal, traders in the nearby Uttar Pradesh villages are concerned over uncertainty of their business.
Lakhimpur Kheri shares a border with Nepal and adjoining areas in the region were engaged in trade prior to the lockdown. But now, with the imposition of coronavirus-induced lockdown, businesses have come to a halt.
UP shares a 105 km long border with Nepal in Kheri district besides other six districts including Pilibhit, Shravasti, Bahriach, Balrampur, Siddhrthnagar and Maharajganj. Earlier, people used to trade freely but now the strained relations between the two nations have severely affected trade.
According to the traders, around 80 per cent of the business is under threat and they are also worried about the huge payment which is due to their Nepalese trade partners. Most of the markets of Khajuria, Behasi, Suda, Chandanchowki and others have worn a deserted look as the market is severely affected due to lockdown.
Traders sharing traditional trade relations with their counterparts in Nepal, across the border are concerned about their business as their customers are mainly from Nepal. However, if the Nepalese traders are to be believed, there is not much effect on their businesses because of the prevailing situations.
India and Nepal have been locked in bitter disputes after the later presented a new political map staking claims over some Indian territories. Nepal had also introduced new textbooks in the school curriculum that include the country's revised political map showing three strategically-important Indian areas as part of its territory. Nepal had also accused India of spreading the coronavirus pandemic in their country.
Meanwhile, heavy security forces have been deployed at the Indo-Nepal border and vigil has been stepped up. SSB forces of 49th battalion have been deployed along the borders and security has been beefed up. However, if reports are to be believed, there has been a rise in the smuggling cases along the border despite strict security measures.
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