Businesses in Biratnagar closed their shutters on Monday in protest of the Biratnagar Metropolitan City’s move to clear out shops set up on pedestrian walkways.

According to Pawan Sharda, former chairman of the Morang Merchants Association, traders were forced to participate in the protest following the city’s forcible seizure of goods from roadside shops.

Nabin Rijal, the incumbent chairman of the Morang Merchants Association, said that the metropolis’ should first manage the vehicles that are parked in front of the stores that cause inconvenience to the pedestrians instead of seizing goods displayed in front of the shops.

“Instead of managing and maintaining waste, the roads and vehicle parking, the metropolis is focusing on hurting our businesses,” said Rijal. 

Prakash Shah, the acting mayor of Biratnagar, said that this step was taken after traders refused to obey the notice issued by the metropolis to clear out footpaths.