Wed Sep 24 05:46:45 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewrite as a news article:

**Summary:**

Recent political unrest and violence in Nepal, sparked by anti-corruption protests, are severely impacting businesses along the India-Nepal border, particularly in the Raxaul region of India. The unrest has disrupted trade, reduced consumer spending, and created fear among both Nepali and Indian citizens. Businesses that rely heavily on Nepali customers are suffering significant losses, and the situation is expected to worsen with the upcoming Dashain festival, typically a peak season for sales. The disruption extends to suppliers in cities like Muzzaffarpur, India, and is also impacting Nepal’s tourism industry, with potential long-term effects on travel patterns and bookings.

**News Article:**

**Nepal Unrest Cripples Border Trade Ahead of Key Festival Season**

**Raxaul, India** – Businesses along the India-Nepal border are facing severe economic hardship as recent political turmoil in Nepal has drastically reduced trade and consumer spending. Anti-corruption protests in Nepal, which began in September, have led to widespread violence, claiming dozens of lives and leaving thousands injured. The unrest has sent shockwaves through border communities that heavily rely on cross-border commerce.

In Raxaul, India, a key trading hub situated just a few hundred meters from the Nepalese border, shopkeepers report a dramatic drop in sales. “Over 90 percent of businesses in markets bordering Nepal depend on Nepalese citizens,” said Arun Kumar Gupta, a cloth trader in Raxaul. He says that sales have practically halted as fear and uncertainty grip the region.

The economic impact extends beyond Raxaul. Suppliers in cities like Muzzaffarpur, known for their lac bangles, are also feeling the pinch. “The impact is 100 percent as we have not sent any supplies to the border areas since the violence broke out,” said Ehtashamul Haque, a bangle trader in Muzzaffarpur.

Traders fear the situation will worsen with the approach of Dashain, Nepal’s largest festival, a time when sales typically surge. “The markets normally start bustling with buyers around 15-20 days ahead of the festival, but till now it is completely vacant,” said Raj Kumar Gupta, secretary of the Raxaul Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

Beyond trade, Nepal’s vital tourism sector is also taking a major hit. Reports of looting and vandalism at hotels, coupled with the temporary closure of the international airport, are deterring potential visitors. “The violence couldn’t have come at a worse time as the [tourist] season was starting,” said Debjit Dutta, chairman of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IOTA), West Bengal chapter.

While Nepal’s political situation remains fluid, businesses on both sides of the border are bracing for continued economic challenges and are hoping for a swift return to stability. The long-term consequences of the unrest on cross-border relations and regional economies remain to be seen.

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