Vehicular movement came to a grinding halt at Bhairahawa-Sunauli border on Tuesday. Only some tourist vehicles, rickshaws and bicycles crossed the border.

Indian security force did not allow vehicles to cross the border citing insecurity. They did not allow trucks bearing Indian number plates to enter Nepal whereas Nepali security officers also requested Nepali citizens and vehicles not to go to India due to security reasons.

The shutdown followed a rumour that one Indian truck driver Hajindra Singh was killed in Nepali territory on Monday. The rumour about his death caused tension around the bordering Sardar village.

A delegation of Sardars from Nautunawa, India, visited the camp of Seema Suraksha Bal to confirm the truth behind the rumour. Police handed over Hajindra and the owner of the truck to the delegation. “Later on, the team returned saying that they will not obstruct the area,” said Police Inspector Rabinbabu Regmi of

Area Police Post in Belahiya. The agitating group of

Sikh community obstructed road near Kotwali Police Station at Sunali in India. Indian security forces and police have been deployed at the border. In the evening, Nepali and Indian security officials agreed to bring the situation under control at the border.

Fifteen people were injured during sporadic clashes between Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) supporters and security personnel at Sunauli customs point on Monday. Ten security personnel, including two Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and five locals,

were injured when protesters hurled stones from no man’s land. Following the incident, four Nepalis who went to Sunauli in India for their household activities were also beaten.

Meanwhile, SLMM protesters have called off protest along Krishnagar-Chandrauta section which was obstructed for the past 54 days.

Similarly, Sanghiya Samabeshi Madhesi Morcha has started a signature

campaign in Birgunj. Morcha supporters started the campaign from Ghantaghar and said they would collect 4 million of signatures and hand it over to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Meanwhile, Limbuwan Samyukta Sangharsha Samittee organised a protest programme in Phidim, the district headquarters of Panchthar. They claimed the new constitution did not ensure their rights.

Life returns to normalcy in Tikapur

Normal Life is gradually returning to normalcy in Tikapur, Kailali, as local administration lifted curfew during day time. After a month of curfew and prohibitory orders, security situation in the area is becoming normal. People in the area faced hardships for a month after the violent clashes on August 24 in which nine people were killed.

(With inputs from our local correspondents)