Biratnagar, January 25:

A number of cargo trucks have been stranded at Biratnagar Custom Office (BCO) premises because of unrest in Terai, which began after a madhesh bandh called by Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) and Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum (MJF), simultaneously from January 16.

Over 500 trucks are parked inside the custom office premises while other trucks are parked within five kms of Nepali territory from the custom office, the BCO informed.

Over 400 trucks and tankers carrying raw material from India are stuck at Bathana village of Bihar, India, BCO said.

Local residents have been stealing from cargo trucks carrying raw material, entrepreneurs accused.

The problem has arisen for the first time, as supply vehicles are not being able to ply due to the bandh, BCO chief, Hari Sharan Pudasaini said.

Hundreds of industries and factories here will have to suffer, as cargo trucks carrying necessary raw materials are being stuck for days on end at the transit point for over a week, senior vice-chairman of Morang Trade Association Mahesh Jaju said.

He added that industries would have to be shut down due to lack of raw material if the situation gets prolonged. Revenue collection at the BCO has also been affected due to the continuous bandh.

All work related to import and export came to a complete halt from Wednesday, BCO chief Pudasaini said.