National
Vehicles idle at Rani border point after SLMM protests
Rani border point in Biratnagar remained tense on Saturday due to obstructions caused by the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) supporters.Rani border point in Biratnagar remained tense on Saturday due to obstructions caused by the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) supporters.
The protesters obstructed the border point after 72 cargo trucks, including eight fuel tankers, entered Nepal. They also staged a sit-in at no-man’s-land, but were dispersed by timely intervention of Nepali security personnel.
The protesters then crossed onto the Indian side and started hurling stones at the security personnel. Morang Superintendent of Police Tarini Prasad Lamsal said some window glasses of the Area Police Post were destroyed. Some policemen and protesters were injured in the incident.
The protesters moved to the Jogbani customs and pressured the customs agent not to clear the cargo trucks to cross into the Nepali territory, a source told the Post.
They also threatened cargo truck drivers against plying vehicles on the road.
Biratnagar customs informed that the movement of cargo trucks has come to a halt following the clash.
The SLMM protesters took out a semi-naked rally holding the national flag in Sarlahi district. Sadbhawana Party District Chairman Pramod Sah said the protesters staged demonstrations to prove that they are imbued with the spirit of patriotism. “We have been blamed as traitors, however, we are struggling for our rights,” he said.
In Birgunj, people of hill origin expressed their solidarity to the ongoing Madhes protest. They took out a rally from Ghantaghar area and reached to protest venue Miteri Bridge after moving around a town.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Sadbhawana Party Rajendra Mahato said they cannot leave an inch of Madhes area between Mechi to Mahakali. Addressing an assembly in Janakpur, Mahato said they have been protesting for their rights as assured in the past agreements.
In Sunsari, two policemen were injured when protesters attacked the security personnel using catapults at Duhabi on Friday night. The security personnel were trying to escort the stranded vehicles to Nemuwa at the time.
Meanwhile, some tankers carrying diesel, petrol and cooking gas entered Nepal through Rupaidiha-Nepalgunj customs point on Saturday. But not a single cargo truck has crossed into Nepal from this point since the past two days due to the obstruction caused by the SLMM protesters.
Seven tankers carrying petroleum products entered Nepal from Tirnagar customs point in Kailali.