Persons with disabilities have been staging a sit-in protest for the past 13 days in front of the District Administration Office in Siraha, demanding the right to earn a living. Carrying the slogan “Give us jobs or let us work”, the protesters say they have been left without any source of income for the past five months.
According to the demonstrators, many of them had been sustaining their families by bringing small quantities of grocery items from nearby border markets and selling them locally in Siraha. They say the small-scale trade was their only means of survival. However, the administration stopped the import of such goods five months ago, bringing their earnings to a complete halt.
The protesters argue that while large-scale smuggling reportedly continues through various channels, small traders like them have been strictly barred from operating. As a result, they say, their families are now facing severe financial hardship and even food shortages.
Many of those participating in the protest are parents who depend entirely on this income to support their children. They have called on all three levels of government to arrange alternative employment opportunities or create a system that allows them to continue their small businesses legally.
Some protesters also expressed frustration that political leaders often seek their support during elections but fail to ensure employment or livelihood security afterward. With elections approaching, they say their concerns remain unaddressed despite nearly two weeks of protest.
Local residents have echoed the concern that enforcement appears uneven and that laws should apply equally to everyone. They believe targeting small earners while larger operators continue unchecked is unfair.