Jhapa/Dhangadi, October 8

A total of 66 petroleum tankers entered the country’s eastern border point in Kakadbhitta by today evening. Similarly, around 100 containers laden with other goods have also entered the country, said Dipendra Jha, communication officer at Mechi Customs Office.

Similarly, 66 tankers carrying petroleum products entered Nepa from the Jogbani border point via Biratnagar. Of them, 11 are said to contain petrol, 32 diesel and four LP gas bullets. According to Biratnagar-based Rani Customs Office, more than 300 trucks ferrying fruits, industrial raw material and others entered the country’s border. Phidim-based Indrayani Automobiles Petrol Pump in Panchthar brought 12,000 litres petrol today. Pump operator Prakash Timalsena, said they distributed petrol from today morning.

Birgunj-Raxaul border point remained closed today.

Trucks were eased with the joint loose checking of Seema Surakshya Bal of India and Nepali security force along Trinagar Customs Office in Kailali and Gaddachouki Customs Office in Kanchanpur border today.

According to the officials at the office, SSB has permitted vehicles without any obstruction. A total of 15 trucks entered the country’s border through the point. Of them two carried diesel, one petrol and the remaining trucks carried everyday essentials.

According to Shiva Raj Bhandari, information officer at NOC’s Dhangadi Regional Office, Of the 19 petroleum tankers which had been to Indian territory to import petroleum, nine have entered Nepal. Movement of people living along the Nepal-India border has gone up with Nepalis visiting Indian marketplaces including Gauriphanta,

Bangawa and Paliya, among others, for shopping in the run-up to the fast approaching festive season.

Activists of agitating Madhesi Front staged 24-hour sit-in protest at Dasgaza area along the Koshi barrage. A total of 50 trucks laden with coal, green vegetables, fruits and foodstuff have entered Nepal from the border point, which had remained completely shut for the past two days.

No vehicular movement was witnessed along the Sunauli-Belhiya border following a clash between police and agitating Madhesi Front yesterday. Rupandehi Police Chief SP Buddhi Raj Gurung said that no untoward incident was reported in Bhairahawa, as the areas was announced a prohibited zone.

Similarly, sources said that even not a single petroleum tanker entered the country’s border via Rupaidiya-Nepalgunj border, as Indian Customs Office did not permit them today. Jamunaha Police Post Chief SI Bishnu Giri said that Indian officials did not allow any tanker ferrying petroleum items into Nepal.

Five trucks carrying other goods were permitted.

Nepalgunj has been hit hard due to acute petroleum crunch due to the border disruption.