The curfew clamped by Parsa District Administration Office in Birgunj since Monday afternoon was temporarily lifted from Wednesday morning until 7 pm.

Chief District Officer Keshavraj Ghimire said the curfew was relaxed considering the hardship faced by the public. There were no untoward events after the curfew was lifted, he added.

The local administration had clamped indefinite curfew in Birgunj from 3 pm on Monday after the agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) supporters resorted to violence following the death of an Indian national in police firing. On Wednesday, the number of SLMM supporters demonstrating in the streets were conspicuously fewer compared to other days.

Besides Maisthan area, the other parts of the town did not witness any clashes.

Police said  at least 12 protesters and five security personnel were injured in a clash that erupted in Maisthan area.

Meanwhile, the SLMM supporters continued to stage sit-in at Miteri Bridge near Nepal-India border, though their tents were removed by security forces on Monday morning.

Local Umesh Kumar said there were few protesters participating in the sit-in.

“The tents have been uprooted and they have not cooked food for two days,” he said.

In Raxaul, the Indian border town across Birgunj, the locals burned the effigy of Nepali Prime Minister KP Oli to protest the killing of Indian national.

The SLMM also staged protests in other Tarai districts like Morang and Dhanusha.  

Cargoes stranded

KAKADBHITTA: Hundreds of cargo trucks are stuck on various border points on the Indian side. Kakadbhitta Customs Office informed that 24 fuel tankers are stranded at Pani Tanki, an Indian town across Kakadbhitta, for the past three days.

The fuel tankers could not enter Nepal after the Indian side tightened the border security, citing security concerns, officials said. Only three fuel tankers entered Nepal from Trinagar customs point in Kailali on Wednesday. The customs office informed that India has also cut down the refilling quota for fuel

tankers at Banthara depot in Uttar Pradesh, India. Likewise, 17 cargo trucks entered Nepal from Sunauli-Bhairahawa border.

None of the cargoes were carrying fuel as the Indian side has stopped issuing customs clearance to oil containers, citing order from the higher authority. Around 100 cargo trucks are also stranded at Rupaidiha-Nepalgunj border point.

Meanwhile, the border points, including Jatahi, Bhadariya, Mahinathpur, Mahuwa and Inarwa, in Dhanusha and Mahottari districts were sealed on Wednesday in view of the elections in Bihar, India.

(With inputs from our local correspondents)