Ten-member family of Santaram Dagaura, a freed Kamaiya (bonded labourer) at Manuwa, has been forced to live on an empty stomach due to the prolonged curfew in Kailali.

“We are daily wage workers and unable to work due to 24-hour indefinite curfew in this area,” Dagaura said.

The local administration has clamped curfew in and around Tikapur, the flashpoint of Tharuhat protest, after Monday’s violent clash. Locals have left the settlements fearing insecurity and only women and children are left behind.

Locals said they cannot go outside to buy daily essential materials. The market areas wear a deserted look as all stores are shut.

Bimala Kadayat of Tikapur-9 said that she borrowed salt from her neighbour. “We have no rice and are cooking flour as our daily meal,” said Kadayat, adding that she hopes to buy the essential foodstuffs after market places reopen.

Similarly, Bina Swar of Tikapur said they could not plan anything due to the unexpected incident. “We might have bought some foodstuffs earlier had we learnt about the curfew beforehand,” she said.

Locals said that only water will be left to keep them alive if the curfew continues. Premdevi Joshi, a local resident, said the administration should take initiative to open market and provide food to the public,” she said.

Meanwhile, Tikapur Area Administration Office chief Suma Dhital said they are aware of hardships people are facing. He argued that they had to clamp curfew to bring the situation under control. “We are discussing the matter with civil society leaders and struggle committee members,” he said, adding that they will gradually reduce curfew hours.

Meanwhile, Aananda Hamal of Tikapur chapter of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry said the recent protests have hit businesses the hardest. Around six houses and local vegetable shops were torched in recent clashes. He said the struggling groups, administration and local residents should be unified to restore normalcy.