PITHORAGARH: Traders at a historical trade fair in Pithoragarh district’s Jauljibi town are unhappy over not getting customers from Nepal as authorities sealed the international border for the ensuing polls in the Himalayan country.
The 12-day-long fair at the confluence of Gori and Kali rivers opened on Monday at Jauljibi which is located along the Nepal border and 64 km from Pithoragarh district headquarters.
“This year fewer people from Nepal are coming to Jauljibi because of the elections. The fair is a big event for Nepalese citizens and they wait for it to purchase goods,” said Harish Ojha, a local shopkeeper.
“Jauljibi fair is yet to pick up as there are no Nepalese customers,” said Dinesh Chand, another local trader. Nepalese citizens came to this fair to purchase winter clothes, blankets and other domestic items, he said.
Prakesh Dhami, a shopkeeper from Nepal, said: “Nepalese citizens will throng the fair after November 21 when the elections will be completed and the border will be reopened.”
All movements between India and Nepal were stopped from November 17 at midnight till November 20 at midnight due to the polls. Nepal will hold parliamentary and provincial elections on November 20.
The 12-day-long fair at the confluence of Gori and Kali rivers opened on Monday at Jauljibi which is located along the Nepal border and 64 km from Pithoragarh district headquarters.
“This year fewer people from Nepal are coming to Jauljibi because of the elections. The fair is a big event for Nepalese citizens and they wait for it to purchase goods,” said Harish Ojha, a local shopkeeper.
“Jauljibi fair is yet to pick up as there are no Nepalese customers,” said Dinesh Chand, another local trader. Nepalese citizens came to this fair to purchase winter clothes, blankets and other domestic items, he said.
Prakesh Dhami, a shopkeeper from Nepal, said: “Nepalese citizens will throng the fair after November 21 when the elections will be completed and the border will be reopened.”
All movements between India and Nepal were stopped from November 17 at midnight till November 20 at midnight due to the polls. Nepal will hold parliamentary and provincial elections on November 20.