National
Obstruction continues at Birgunj-Raxaul point
Activists of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha on Monday continued their protests at the Birgunj-Raxaul customs point, obstructing movement of vehicles.Bhusan Yadav
Activists of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha on Monday continued their protests at the Birgunj-Raxaul customs point, obstructing movement of vehicles.
The Birgunj-Raxaul crossing, the main transit point between Nepal and India, has been obstructed since September 24 due to protests by the Madhes-based parties over the constitution.
After the constitution was amended on Saturday, it was expected that protesters would retreat from the border area.
“How can the Indian authorities let the cargo vehicles enter the Nepali territory when Morcha protesters are present in No-Man’s-Land?” asked an official at Birgunj Customs Office. However, some carts loaded with essential goods have been entering Birgunj despite the sit-ins.
Around 300 cargo trucks have been entering Biratnagar from Jogbani point on a daily basis. Biratnagar Customs Office informed that flow of cargo trucks is smooth. Customs Officer Arjun Neupane said cargo trucks were entering Biratnagar after they were rerouted from the Birgunj-Raxaul border point. Earlier, during normal situations, as many as 150 cargo trucks used to enter the Nepali territory.
Likewise, Mechi Customs Office informed that around 300 cargo trucks have been entering the Nepali territory through Kakadbhitta-Panitanki border point. Mechi Customs Officer Bhim Prasad Adhikari informed that the import has been regular as before. However, there are around 300 cargo vehicles waiting for customs clearance on the Indian side.
Inspector Avaya Bikram Shah of Belahiya Area Police Office in Bhairahawa also said vehicles were reaching the Nepali side smoothly. Bhairahawa Customs Office informed that around 200 cargo trucks and dozens of fuel tankers are entering Nepal through the Bhairahawa-Sunauli border point on a daily basis. The customs point had been partially obstructed for a few days due to the protests in the past. The customs office claimed that Bhairahawa-Sunauli was one of the entry points which remained unaffected even when the protests were at their peak.
Nepalgunj-Rupaidiha border point has been eased for the past few days. There were no protests and demonstrations.
Hundreds of cargo trucks cross into the Nepali territory from Nepalgunj customs on a daily basis. About a month ago, there was no vehicular movement through the border point.
ASI Hari Bhadaur Gurung of Area Police Office in Jamunaha informed that situation at Nepalgunj-Rupaidiha border point is normal. “Number of fuel tankers and cargo trucks entering Nepal has increased,” he said. Nearly two dozen fuel tankers and 150 cargo trucks are entering Nepalgunj on a daily basis.
(With inputs from local correspondents)
Movements at different places
- Biratnagar-Jogbani: Around 300 cargo trucks entering Nepal on a daily basis. Earlier during normal situations, as many as 150 cargo trucks used to enter the Nepali territory.
- Kakadbhitta-Panitanki: Around 300 cargo trucks crossing into Nepal every day and as many are waiting for customs clearance on the Indian side
- Bhairahawa-Sunauli: As many as 200 cargo trucks and dozens of fuel tankers are entering Nepal. The customs point, which was partially obstructed for a few days, was the least affected crossing even when protests were at their peak
- Nepalgunj-Rupaidiha: Border movement eased for the past few days, with no protests and demonstrations. Hundreds of cargo trucks are crossing into the Nepali territory on a daily basis