BIRGUNJ: A group of vendors today clashed with a patrolling team of the Birgunj Customs Office. The clash occurred after the vendors demonstrated in front of the customs office demanding return of their goods seized by the patrolling team of APF on Thursday night.

According to Kedar Bahadur Khadka, DSP, APF, they were compelled to charge batons after the demonstrators tried to block the entry point. Irate vendors vandalised some vehicles after the police charged batons on them.

The customs office’s work was halted for some time due to the incident. The office claimed that local smugglers used women and children in the demonstrations. Demonstrators were dispersed after the administration deployed a large number of security personnel in the area.

Meanwhile, the APF team impounded goods worth Rs 4 million being smuggled last night. Vendors clashed with police personnel for around two hours. Kebal Prasad Bhandari, customs office chief, said,’’ Revenue collection is decreasing gradually as the smugglers are active in an organised manner.’’

The smugglers threatened Bhandari of breaking his hands after the customs office seized the goods.

Around 200 vendors smuggle goods worth Rs. 5 million daily.

DSP Khadka said that only 50 APF personnel were not enough to control the large number of vendors.