Ram Singh Ale, the president of the Federation of Terhathum Dhaka Industry said "The blockade is forcing us to shut down our business. Our raw material stock is exhausted and we are not able to procure the necessary raw materials to keep the production going on."Ujwota, from Myanglung, Terhathum, one of a Dhaka business entrepreneurs who is running her Dhaka printing business for over a decade now has been forced to close the factory sending her employees and bringing over two hundred sewing machines to a grinding halt.
Suvadraraj Bhandari, the proprietor of Saraswati Dhaka Industry, also had unwillingly requested her staffs to go on leave until she is able to procure raw materials.
Satya Narayan Rai, chief at the Micro-Enterprise Development Programme (MEDEP), informed about five thousands labors run their houses by working at MEDEP. Shortage of raw materials is now threatening their livelihood.
Vishnu Maya Limbu, from Myanglung, Terhathum, said "There is no availability of threads in the market and even if it becomes available, we need to pay extremely more than its actual price." Limbu has stopped sewing clothes for over a week and said that as all her family is involved in this business they will be forced to lookout for other means to earn a living if the present condition prolongs.
Rajiv Dhungana, the vice-president of the Terhathum Dhaka Industry informed that the annual turnover of the industry in the district is over five crores. Products like topi, kurta, sarees, rumaal among other Dhaka products of the district have earned good reputation in international markets like Singapore, USA, Japan among others.
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