Rajshahi businesses bogged down by shutdown

RAJSHAHI, July 29: Small and big businesses in Rajshahi have suffered a crushing blow due to the government-imposed nationwide curfew following the recent student agitation seeking repeal of the quota system in government services.

Daily turnover in many of the business entities of the divisional city has plummeted to almost 'zero' in the last 10 days since the student unrest reached the climax on July 18, 2024.

Insiders said the business entities in Rajshahi have incurred a colossal loss amounting to approximately Tk5.0 billion (Tk500 crore) during the ongoing crisis.

Currently, they suffer a loss of at least Tk500-60o million (Tk50-60 crore) every day amid the relaxed curfew.

The government imposed the curfew two days after the 'complete shutdown' called by the agitators on July 18.

In the current situation, business and trade have come to a standstill and the roads wear a deserted look across Rajshahi division.

Shops remain closed somewhere in the shopping malls of the city. As a result, traders have to count crores of taka losses every day.

At present curfew is relaxed but it is reported that at least Tk500-60o million is being lost every day for not being able to do business all day.

Sirajul Islam, a small businessman of the city's RDA Market, said that there had been no business in the last 10 days due to the unwanted situation in the country.

"The shops had to be closed due to the curfew. Shops were opened after the curfew was relaxed, but there is still a thin presence of customers," he added.

"If business situation continues like this, it will be very bad. We have shop rent, employee salaries. I do not understand how to meet these," he continued.

Lutfar Rahman, manager of GenX showroom in Rajshahi, said, "Our business is actually with the buyers. But there are no people in the city. The streets are empty. We are going through a terrible situation."

Farid Mahmud Hasan, president of Rajshahi Business Oikya Parishad, said Rajshahi has come to a standstill due to the curfew. Now the curfew time has been relaxed but the traders are facing loss. It will be very difficult to overcome this stalemate.

Masudur Rahman Rinku, president of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said due to the ongoing crisis, there has been a loss of at least Tk5.0 billion (Tk500 crore) in trade and commerce of Rajshahi region in the last ten days.

Md Jamirul Islam, additional deputy commissioner (Media Spokesperson), Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP), said information from various sources including intelligence is being considered to ensure safety of the people of the city. Information is also being taken from other sides of administration.

A decision on relaxation of curfew is being taken by considering the overall aspect of the ongoing situation.

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