As the west Bengal state of India went to the polls yesterday, Phuentshogling town wore a deserted look. Business was unusually slow, as most of the shops and other business entities in the main town remained closed.
Our reporter, Sonam Wangdi, said with the border gates closed, the otherwise busy town, almost came to a standstill. Not many cars were plying and only a few shops were opened with even fewer customers.
“Most of Bhutanese have obtained trade licenses and given it to business people from outside the country. And I think that’s why most shops in the town are closed,” said a resident of Phuentshogling, Phuntsho Wangdi.
Another resident, Tandin Dorji, said the parking areas were empty. “It seems like we have more Indian cars in the town.”
Some shopkeepers said since most of their staffs are Indians; they had to keep their shops closed.
The Bhutanese employees, who work in private industries but live across the border, stayed in hotels. The arrangement was made by their employer. Some adjusted through shift systems.
People of west Bengal voted yesterday in the first of the five-phase Lok Sabha poll in four constituencies of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar.
The gates opened at 6pm yesterday.
