BIRGUNJ: Custom officials in Birgunj today called off their protest in view of possible shortage of petroleum products in major cities, including the Kathmandu Valley.

The employees, who were protesting

the manhandling of their colleague

Kewal Prasad Bhandari since Monday, decided to resume their duty.

The supply of petroleum and collection of revenue had been affected adversely following the protest. The custom officials, however, gave up protests and returned to works today following a meeting at the District Administration Office, Parsa.

The meeting was held at the behest of finance secretary Rameshwor Khanal on Wednesday morning, which decided to bring the culprits to book and provide a security cover to the customs officials.

Custom officials boycotted their office after the CPN-Maoist activist Dhruba Yadav assaulted them. Yadav was arrested.