Birgunj, February 6

A day after the Birgunj entry point at Nepal-India border opened 135 days after a blockade was imposed by agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front cadres, three gas bullets and one diesel tanker entered the country via the customs point today.

Spokesperson at Birgunj Customs Office Sushil Sharma said three bullets loaded with gas from Indian Oil Corporation’s Barauni depot four-and-a-half months ago entered the country today. They were stranded at Raxaul due to the border blockade. Similarly, a diesel tanker loaded at Raxaul depot also entered the country.

Spokesperson Sharma said that some tankers loaded with fuel were preparing to enter Nepal from Raxaul. Nepal Oil Corporation Regional Office Birgunj said that some tankers had left for Raxaul to fetch petroleum products from Nepal.

Birgunj Customs Office said that a large number of trucks, containers and other vehicles entered Nepal via the border point today.

With opening of the Birgunj entry point, import and export have smoothened.

“With removal of obstruction at the border point, supply of goods and commodities has gone up,” said Sharma.

The border entry point had opened after locals and Indian traders chased away those who were staging sit-in at Miteri Bridge yesterday.

Meanwhile, Indian transport entrepreneurs chased away cadres and leaders of the UDMF who had reached the Birgunj entry point to stage a sit-in to block supply at 2:00pm today.

At the call of UDMF Bara and Parsa committee, cadres and leaders had reached the bridge to enforce the obstruction at the entry point.

Two Indians and one agitator were injured when UDMF cadres and Indian traders exchanged bricks. A large number of police personnel were deployed at Miteri Bridge to avert possible untoward incident.

Meanwhile, UDMF has suspended all kinds of protest programmes in Parsa.

UDMF central leadership has directed the district leadership to stop all kinds of agitation until further notice.

Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal Parsa district chairman Pradip Yadav said that centre had directed its district leaders not to go ahead with any agitation programme.

A torch rally slated for today evening was cancelled following the centre’s directive.