Indian authorities relaxed the restriction on Nepal-bound cargoes on two of the six major border points on Wednesday. As a result, the number of cargoes entering Nepal through Sunauli-Bhairahawa and Jogbani-Biratnagar customs points was relatively high, officials said.

More than 80 cargo carriers, nine of the containing fuel, entered through Sunauli-Bhairahawa customs point until 2 pm after which all cargo movement was stopped by the Indian side due to Deepawali festival.

Sunauli customs had started releasing the cargoes from 7 am. Officials said it was the first time India had allowed cargoes to enter Nepal so early morning since the border blockade began on September 22.

Biratnagar Customs Office informed that the Jogbani customs had released 34 diesel tankers, 22 petrol tankers and two gas bullets on Tuesday night. On Wednesday, however, the Indian side released only one diesel tanker. There are still hundreds of cargo trucks stuck on the Indian side.

Meanwhile, 84 cargo trucks and one gas bullet entered from Pani Tanki-Kakadbhitta customs point. There are around 700 cargo trucks stranded on the Indian side.

Three fuel tankers entered Nepal from Trinagar Customs point in Kailali. Customs office informed 15 cargoes carrying vegetables and daily essentials were also released. There are around 300 cargo carriers awaiting customs clearance on the Indian side.

Not a single fuel tanker entered from Rupaidiha-Nepalgunj border on Wednesday after the Indian security force restricted movement of oil tankers. The Rupaidiha customs, however, released 12 cargo trucks.

Truck torched

RAJBIRAJ: The agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha activists torched a cargo truck at Bhardaha-1 in Saptari district on Wednesday morning. Police said the protesters set the truck (Na 5 Kha 9162) on fire at around 2 am. Driver Bijaya Rai and his assistant Dipendra Khadka sustained minor injuries in the incident. The protesters also hurled stones at other vehicles.

(By Madhav Dhungana in Bhairahawa & Binod Bhandari in Biratnagar)