Birgunj border reopens

Birgunj, January 24

Goods, which were obstructed from entering the country through the Raxaul-Birgunj border point for four months due to the agitation of United Democratic Madhesi Front, have started entering the country via Birgunj.

Birgunj Customs Office sources said Indian customs at Raxaul has allowed carts loaded with goods across the border.

Spokesperson Sushil Sharma of the customs office said goods have been entering without obstruction for a week. “We have become quite busy as goods have started entering from India,’ he said.

He added that revenue collection had gone down to zero due to the border blockade and Tarai agitation in the last four months. “Around Rs 30 lakh is being collecting on a daily basis now,” he informed.

Carts loaded with different goods had entered from Raxaul Customs yesterday.

Importers cleared customs on the Indian side during the day time and they brought the goods to Nepal at night.

Agitating cadres of United Democratic Madhesi Front did not cause any obstruction when the goods were brought through the Miteri Bridge.

The number of agitating UDMF cadres staging sit-in at the bridge had declined due to the severe cold that has gripped Madhes.

Raxaul Customs said goods, including clothes, shoes, slippers, hardware items and plastic, among others, had entered through the border check point.

Meanwhile, Parsa Chief District Officer Keshab Raj Ghimire said that Indian Customs had been releasing the goods for some days. “Border entry points in other places have already opened,” he said.

The UDMF has been protesting against the constitution with their demand for province demarcation for the last five months.

They have been staging a sit-in protest at the Raxaul-Birgunj border point from September 24.