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Just found this from the Kathmandu times 26th November 2003.
http://www.nepalnews.com.np/contents/englishdaily/ktmpost/2003/nov/nov26/economy.htm
"Over 55 khukuri industries shut down
Restriction on sale major reason behind closure
BED RAJ PAUDEL
BHOJPUR, Nov 25 - After the local administration restricted the sale of khukuri, a traditional Nepali knife and the national weapon, more than 55 khukuri industries in this district have been closed down. Bhojpur is known for khukuris.
The district administration office prohibited the sale of the traditional weapon suspecting that the Maoist rebels could use them. The office restricted the transaction of the knife by issuing a public notice some three months ago.
Although there was some sporadic increase in the sale of khukuri during the cease-fire period, 16 khukuri industries were closed down after the Maoists unilaterally broke down the truce.
After the administration imposed a ban on the sale of the weapon, 40 industries have been closed. Traditionally, khukuri industry is owned by the Bishwokarmas and it is the prime source of their income.
The prohibition has badly hit the economy of the Bishwokarmas. Amrit Bishworkarma, who has been producing khukuri for the past 20 years in Gupteshwor Village Development Committee (VDC), says that he stopped the production after the administration put a ban on the sale.
Chandra Bahadur Bishworkarma from Siddheshwor VDC, some six-kilometre west to the district headquarters, was in the business for 30 years. He used to produce 5 to 10 Budhune brand of khukuri daily, but he too has ceased producing them now.Besides the ban on the sale of the weapon, it is the restriction on the import of iron that has led the industry to the closure, he added. Raw material for making khukuri and other items are imported from Terai area.
"The security forces do not allow to import iron including other goods," he added.
Khukuri of Bhojpur are sold not only within the bounds of the country, but in the international markets as well. Their prices range from Rs 200 to 1,000.
Tej Moktan, president of Bhojpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says that there has been massive decline in the sale of khukuri as the local administration put a ban on its sale.
He also said that the khukuri made in Dharan and Biratnagar are sold with the brand name of Bhojpure khukuri and this malpractice has also pushed the sale of the genuine Bhojpure khukuris, he further said. As the spurious khukuris are cheaper, customers prefer to buy the low priced ones, he said.
Sometimes the security forces buy a few khukuris, but the civilians have completely stopped buying the weapon, says Hira Lal Shrestha who is dealing in Bhojpure khukuri for a decade.
Shrestha said that he used to export the khukuri to Canada, Hong Kong, United States, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
"The demand of Bhojpure khukuri is still unabated, but they cannot be exported due to the security condition of the country," he added."
I Hope this doesnt spread across Nepal.
Spiral
http://www.nepalnews.com.np/contents/englishdaily/ktmpost/2003/nov/nov26/economy.htm
"Over 55 khukuri industries shut down
Restriction on sale major reason behind closure
BED RAJ PAUDEL
BHOJPUR, Nov 25 - After the local administration restricted the sale of khukuri, a traditional Nepali knife and the national weapon, more than 55 khukuri industries in this district have been closed down. Bhojpur is known for khukuris.
The district administration office prohibited the sale of the traditional weapon suspecting that the Maoist rebels could use them. The office restricted the transaction of the knife by issuing a public notice some three months ago.
Although there was some sporadic increase in the sale of khukuri during the cease-fire period, 16 khukuri industries were closed down after the Maoists unilaterally broke down the truce.
After the administration imposed a ban on the sale of the weapon, 40 industries have been closed. Traditionally, khukuri industry is owned by the Bishwokarmas and it is the prime source of their income.
The prohibition has badly hit the economy of the Bishwokarmas. Amrit Bishworkarma, who has been producing khukuri for the past 20 years in Gupteshwor Village Development Committee (VDC), says that he stopped the production after the administration put a ban on the sale.
Chandra Bahadur Bishworkarma from Siddheshwor VDC, some six-kilometre west to the district headquarters, was in the business for 30 years. He used to produce 5 to 10 Budhune brand of khukuri daily, but he too has ceased producing them now.Besides the ban on the sale of the weapon, it is the restriction on the import of iron that has led the industry to the closure, he added. Raw material for making khukuri and other items are imported from Terai area.
"The security forces do not allow to import iron including other goods," he added.
Khukuri of Bhojpur are sold not only within the bounds of the country, but in the international markets as well. Their prices range from Rs 200 to 1,000.
Tej Moktan, president of Bhojpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says that there has been massive decline in the sale of khukuri as the local administration put a ban on its sale.
He also said that the khukuri made in Dharan and Biratnagar are sold with the brand name of Bhojpure khukuri and this malpractice has also pushed the sale of the genuine Bhojpure khukuris, he further said. As the spurious khukuris are cheaper, customers prefer to buy the low priced ones, he said.
Sometimes the security forces buy a few khukuris, but the civilians have completely stopped buying the weapon, says Hira Lal Shrestha who is dealing in Bhojpure khukuri for a decade.
Shrestha said that he used to export the khukuri to Canada, Hong Kong, United States, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
"The demand of Bhojpure khukuri is still unabated, but they cannot be exported due to the security condition of the country," he added."
I Hope this doesnt spread across Nepal.
Spiral
