RAUTAHAT: There has been an increase in smuggling of various goods along the border areas as administration fails to curb the illegal activity.

In the backdrop of delay in new government formation, smugglers have taken a hit on the opportunity and have managed to tag the local police along to indulge in organised smuggling in the district.

The locals have blamed the authorities on their lack of concern while the country loses a fair amount of revenue as traders from both the countries smuggle goods from various small transits in the 26-km area.

Except the main transit Gaur, areas such as Brahmapuri, Laxmipur, Belbichawa, Mahadevpati, Rampur and others have seen a huge amount of goods being smuggled in and out in the recent days. The traders have used pickup vans, mini trucks, motorcycles and cycles to bring in goods worth millions through such small routes.

Likewise, smugglers transport betel nut, pepper, cardamom, clove, cigarettes and liquor to India unhindered through the aforementioned routes.

“There has been a rise in the number of smugglers because the local administration of both countries have legitimised the activity by turning a blind eye to it,” local Shyam Chandra Jha said. “The smugglers pay the police officials to haul goods in an unhindered manner without paying customs charges.”

However, Superintendent of Nepal Police, Yagya Binod Pokharel denied the accusations and said that police are not involved in smuggling.

“We are taking hold of smuggled goods and submitting them to Gaur Customs Office on a regular basis,” Pokharel said, “we have enforced strict monitoring in the border.”