The protest comes in the wake of strict surveillance by security agencies along the border points in Nepal’s southern plains, supposedly to check revenue leakage.
The move comes amid complaints that residents in border areas frequently travel to Indian markets to buy food, clothing and other household items, leading to slow local markets and loss of national revenue.
“Whatever rituals are performed here (Nepal) from birth to death, we bring all the essentials from there (India), even the fertilizers which the Government of Nepal sometimes cannot provide on time, we bring them from there. Now the situation has changed; it is an unannounced blockade. The Jana Adhikar Party demands its withdrawal. The failure of the Government of Nepal to check looting is its inability,” a protester told ANI.
The Armed Police Force (APF) has started urging people to compulsorily pay customs duty on goods worth more than Rs 100 brought from India. Aimed at ordinary citizens who previously enjoyed informal customs exemptions for small purchases and household items, the government has begun strictly enforcing a rule requiring mandatory customs duties on any goods valued at more than NRS. 100 rupees.
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“They are not allowed to bring items costing more than NRS 100 without paying tax; we want this provision to end. This has led us to the protest. They should also respect the relationship that exists – the Roti-Beti relationship between India and Nepal. We demand that the government give an exemption to items costing more than Nrs. 100, which is for domestic use,” another protester told ANI.
Secondary customs posts are undergoing widespread crackdowns in the name of controlling customs evasion. Senior Customs Department officials have confirmed this tightening of border controls. An official claimed that the government’s earlier statement to check revenue leakage at border points is now being strictly implemented. ‘The government’s policy has always been to take a zero-tolerance approach to preventing illegal imports into customs zones. The Customs Act already included a provision requiring duty on goods worth more than Rs 100, the official said. ‘Now we have become more proactive. There are similar directives from the Minister and the Prime Minister.’
According to the official, joint surveillance teams comprising the Customs Department, Revenue Investigation Department, district administration offices, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have increased their activity, leading to stricter checks on all goods entering the country.
Additionally, private vehicles with Indian registration plates are now prohibited from entering Nepal without prior authorization. Previously, motorcycles with these types of license plates were frequently seen entering Nepal, and some people even used them within the country.
This unilateral and strict policy and the ban on vehicles registered in India have created major problems in the border districts of Madhesh, affecting the daily lives of residents. Various political parties, civil society leaders and local residents have expressed intense discontent, claiming that Kathmandu’s decision ignores the reality of life in the Madhesh region.
The scene at the border now seems abnormal and tense. The checks carried out by the Armed Police on Nepalis returning from the Phareniya weekly market, Rupandehi, reflect the reality of the border. Long lines are seen while each person’s bags and packages are opened and inspected.