The duo had slept by burning coal in a closed room.

Smuggling cases of pepper, maize and garments at the border areas have been on the rise. According to a report provided by the District Police Office, Parsa, the office confiscated garments worth Rs7.9 million that passed through illegal channels from last mid-April.

Theft cases in the warehouse at the Dry Port in Sirsiya, Brigunj, have reportedly been increasing. According to Himalayan Terminal, the company operating the Dry Port, 24 bottles of Black Label alcohol and a computer set have been stolen.

The Department of Revenue Investigation on Wednesday arrested Sanjay Agrawal, proprietor of Global Leather Tanning Udhyog, on smuggling charges. He smuggled black pepper through Birgunj Customs.

Four transport syndicates operating on Birgunj-Kathmandu route are collecting extra fees of up to Rs470 from each cargo truck operating on the sector, exerting upward pressure on prices of various goods bound for the capital.

Locals of Alau and Sirsiya in Birgunj have launched a protest to exert pressure on the government to provide adequate compensation for the land that they relinquished for construction of the Integrated Check Point (ICP), a facility that is expected to facilitate Nepal-India trade and transit.

Protesters indulged in stray incidents of arson and vandalised a few vehicles, including a van with Indian registration, for defying their strike call on Sunday in Birgunj.

Indian Railways has hiked demurrage on wagons by up to sixfold, making life hard for Nepali importers, traders said.

With banks tightening lending due to a receding supply of loanable funds, imports of luxury automobiles and industrial raw materials have dropped markedly, leading to a sharp drop in revenue collection at Birgunj Customs.

An Indian national, who was killed in police action a week ago in Birgunj, was involved in the abduction of businessman Suresh Kedia, claimed police.

The Birgunj Customs Office has started imposing hefty fines on traders who attempt to produce fake bills in a bid to control the practice of underinvoicing.

Market prices of daily essential commodities have soared as a result of transportation cartels and higher freight charges, traders said.

In the third week of September, when continuous protests and an unofficial blockade by the southern neighbour struck Birgunj, a vibrant business city of the country, like a bolt from the blue, the commercial hub had to knock off its trade—not out of choice but out of compulsion.

Meanwhile, animal quarantine offices have been criticized for issuing good health certificates for imported chicken products. The quarantine office should also be strict with regard to quality,” said KC.

The police have intensified patrolling of border areas following a surge in smuggling.