Rajbiraj, November 11

Customs-evaded materials are being transported through Swornapatti Border at Bodebarsain Municipality in Saptari.

The smugglers were active in delivering goods due to the absence of security personnel at the open border with India.

Locals complained that security personnel were mum even in the Dasgaja area. The locals said security personnel have to be more active and responsible in controlling illegal activities in border areas.

Gaya Prasad Sah, a local, said security checking had to be strict in the border area. “It is very sad that security personnel are not playing a role in controlling smuggling,” he added.

Locals said youths were also involved in importing drugs taking advantage of the inactive border area. “The number of illegal drug users has increased in the villages,” they said.

Sah said use of illegal drugs, noise, assaults and other unwanted activities had been increasing on a daily basis. “But the police administration paid no attention to the same,” he said. The locals said smugglers were more active in bringing drugs from the border from midnight onwards. They said police did not listen even though the villagers informed them time and again.

Meanwhile, intellectuals in Saptari expressed concern about lack of security personnel deployed for border security.

Saptari Chief District Officer Sunil Khanal said that further steps would be taken if the customs-evaded materials brought in through the open border were transported into Nepal.