Movement of cargo trucks to Nepal through Jogbani and Kakarvitta customs points continued to remain obstructed on Saturday. Indian authorities have also beefed up security along the border.

District Magistrate (DM) of Araria, Bihar, Himanshu Sharma and Armed Sheema Surakshya Bal (SSB) SP Sudheer Kumar Podika made a field visit to the bordering areas before teh security was ramped up, according to Ananda Nemwang, Superintendent of Police (SP) at Rani, Biratngar.

“They came towards the no man’s land. Observed the situation and returned,” Nemwang said. “They met me as well. However, they did not talk anything about the blockade.”

Revenue collection at the Biratnagar Customs Office has remained nil for the last three days. The customs point used to collect around Rs 50 million a day during normal days. Imports from the customs point has been obstructed.

According to Krishna Bahadur Basnet, chief of the Rani Customs Office, Indian officials have not reverted to their request to allow trucks loaded with imported goods to enter Nepal. “The SSB has also tightened the movement of the general people across the border for procuring daily essentials,” Basnet said.

The situation is similar at the Kakarbhitta customs point in Jhapa. The blockade imposed by India has affected almost all the sectors. Tourism, hotel, transportation and other businesses have been severely hurt.

According to the Jhapa District Travel Association, the entrepreneurs are facing huge losses due to the ongoing obstruction. “The blockade has compelled the entrepreneurs to fold up their businesses,” Nir Bahadur Karki, president of the association, said. He said a number of Indian tourists—from areas like Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim and New Delhi—on their way to Nepal have been stuck on the Indian side of the border and are in no mood to enter Nepal now.

Commerce Minister to talk to Indian counterpart

KATHMANDU: Minister for Commerce and Supply Sunil Bahadur Thapa has said he will hold talks with the Indian Commerce Minister on the blockade during his scheduled visit to India on Monday.

He is visiting India to take part in the South Asia Economic Conclave organised by the Indian Commerce Ministry from September 28-30. The southern neighbour has imposed unofficial blockade on Nepal after the promulgation of the new constitution, which has left many Nepal bound goods stranded in India. Indian Oil Corporation has also halted suppliers of petroleum products to Nepal.

Speaking to the Post, Thapa said he would discuss with Prime Minister Sushil Koirala on Sunday about the political message he has to deliver to New Delhi. “I will also discuss with Nepali Ambassador to India Deep Kumar Upadhyaya and the Foreign Ministry about the efforts so far made to lift the blockade and put our case to India,” he said.