Police opens Birgunj checkpoint after 40 days

Bijaya Kumar Mahato, Parsa / November 2: The Birgunj checkpoint on Nepal-India border which was obstructed by the agitating leaders and cadres of United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) has opened since this morning.

In order to open the border point, the police had to intervene on the sit-in staged by the leaders and cadres of UDMF at Miteripul of Birgunj. Local administration informed that a police team deputed from Parsa District Police Office and Armed Police Border Security Office had intervened to remove protestors staging sit-in at the point in an effort to resume border operation.

The District Administration Office Parsa said that the task of sending Indian vehicles stranded at Birgunj for the past couple of months has started with clearance of human hurdles at the border.

Police shared that around 500 Indian vehicles stood by at the customs area in Inarwa, Birgunj are being sent to India. The demonstrators have been staging protest burning tires in different places against the police crackdown at border. Police had destroyed the tent fixed by the protestors at Miteripul and also seized other materials.

The situation remained tense at Birgunj city following the police crackdown to open the obstructed checkpoint. Meanwhile, Parsa Chief District Officer Keshab Raj Ghimire informed that the police held four persons for creating hurdles in police bid to open the point.

The arrested are yet to be identified, he said, adding that they have been kept at the Parsa District Police Office for necessary investigation. In the first phase the Indian vehicles stranded at Nepal’s land will be sent to India and secondly efforts will be made to bring in goods-laden vehicles to Nepal after consultation with Indian side possibly today. RSS