After four months of suspension of freight movement through the Birgunj-Raxaul border, the busiest transit point between Nepal and India, five cargo carriers entered Nepal on Friday.

The five cargo trucks carrying machineries arrived in Birgunj customs through the Miteri bridge, which was occupied by protesters for the last four months, at around 8am after the Raxaul customs gave the clearance for entry to Nepal.

According to Parsa Superintendent of Police Rajubabu Shrestha, five Indian cargo trucks, which were stuck on the Nepali side, also returned to India in the morning.

However, Friday’s freight movement through the Birgunj-Raxaul point was a brief affair, as activists of a youth alliance affiliated to Sanghiya Samabeshi Madhesi Gathabandan (SSMG), burnt tyres, obstructing the vehicular movement. Ishwar Yadav, chairman of the youth alliance, said the activists were protesting as they were yet to withdraw their sit-ins.

However, traders and porters have been freely importing goods from across the border for the last few days, which was confirmed by the Raxaul customs that said there was no obstruction from their side. We have been issuing customs clearance to those who are approaching us, said an official at the Raxaul Customs Office. “There is no obstruction from our side.”

Sushil Sharma, spokesperson for the Birgunj Customs Office, said cargo carriers entered Nepal through the Raxaul customs for the first time on Friday since the blockade was imposed.

“There are signs that there are no obstructions in Raxaul customs,” said Sharma. The border is yet to open because sit-ins are continuing. For the trade to resume fully, the sit-ins must be withdrawn formally,” he added.

All essential goods except fuel and new vehicles have been entering Nepal through Birgunj-Raxaul point.

Birgunj Customs Office informed that they have been collecting around Rs 4 million in revenue daily.

Though witnesses said there only a handful of protesters remaining at the Miteri bridge, Nejamuddin Samani, a leader of the Samyukta Lokantrik Madhesi Morcha, said protests are on.