Five fuel tankers entered Nepal from various border points in the south on Tuesday, a week after an Indian national was killed in police firing in Birgunj.

Though the Indian authorities relaxed the restriction on Nepal-bound cargoes, only a limited number of trucks were given clearance by the Sunauli customs in India. Few cargoes loaded with industrial raw materials, essential goods, oxygen, medicines and fuel have entered Nepal since Sunday night.

Bhairahawa Customs Office Chief Lawanya Dhakal said the Indian security personnel and customs officers were still obstructing some fuel tankers. “Only 30 percent of  the vehicles have entered Nepal from the border,” he said.

There are around 100 gas bullets and 79 fuel tankers stuck in Sunauli for the past one week.

Similarly, three tankers carrying fuel entered Nepal from Biratnagar-Jogbani customs point on Tuesday. Customs officer Krishna Bahadur Basnet said they expected 53 fuel tankers to enter Nepal by late Tuesday night. Ten fuel tankers had entered Nepal Jogbani on Monday night.

The Indian customs at Trinagar, a town across Dhangadi in Kailali district, has restricted Nepal-bound cargoes.

Parbati Raman Dahal at Dhangadi customs said only one diesel tanker entered from Trinagar on Tuesday. “Hundreds of cargoes are stranded on the Indian side,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Indian customs at Ruapaidiha, a town across Nepalgunj, continued its restriction on fuel tankers awaiting exit permits to leave for Nepal. Though the there is no obstruction in the border, the Indian side has refused to release the fuel tankers for the last one week. Jamunaha Area Police Office informed that there are around 60 fuel tankers awaiting customs clearance in Rupaidiha.

Banda in Parsa lifted after 89 days

BIRGUNJ: The agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) has lifted the banda in Parsa in view of the Tihar and Chhath festivals. Normal life in the district has been affected as a result of the banda for the last 89 days. The SLMM decision to relax the banda is expected to offer some respite to the public. The agitating side, however, has decided to continue its sit-in protest at Miteri Bridge near Birgunj-Raxaul border. The sit-in entered its 49th day on Tuesday.

(With inputs from local correspondents)