According to the Koshi State Police Office, Rani-Jogbani in Morang, Bhantabari-Bhimnagar in Sunsari, Pashupatinagar-Sukepokhri in Elam, Bhadrapur-Galgaliya in Jhapa and Kankadvitta-Panitanki are gradually becoming loose.
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The five border crossings of Koshi province, which are closed due to the Gen-G movement, connecting Nepal-India border, have gradually started to be opened.
According to the Koshi Province Police Office, Rani-Jogbani in Morang, Bhantabari-Bhimnagar in Sunsari, Pashupatinagar-Sukepokhari in Elam, Bhadrapur-Galgaliya in Jhapa and Kakdvitta-Panitanki are gradually becoming loose.
Two out of the five points share the border with India's West Bengal. Both Bhadrapur Vihar and Bengal are bordered by the border while Rani and Bhantabari share a border with Bihar.
SSP Deepak Pokharel, the spokesperson of the Koshi State Police Office, claimed that all the checkpoints were 'controlled and operational'. Pokharel said, "They have not returned to the old rhythm, but gradually the border will be opened as the situation eases."
According to him, general traffic has also started from all checkpoints. Import and export have also started from Kakdvitta, Jogbani, Bhadrapur and other major customs points.
Due to the agitation, the Mechi Customs of Kakdvitta and the Bhadrapur Customs have been completely damaged . Biratnagar Customs has suffered partial damage.
Chief District Officer of Jhapa, Gopal Adhikari, said that import and export have started from Kakdavitta and Bhadrapur crossings. Petroleum products, food grains, industrial raw materials and other commodities are being imported from India. But showing the reason for the tension and insecurity in the border area, the Indian Paramilitary Force (SSB) is tightening the border.
"The border is open for passengers who are sick and traveling by air", Pragya official said, "The border is not easy for others immediately". We are planning to ease it slowly.'
It is seen that the Kakadvitta crossing will not be completely smooth for some time, especially due to the West Bengal government . The West Bengal state government is monitoring this border more. Bengal Governor CV Anand Bose came to monitor the Nepal-India border post after the protest of Gen-G. After his visit, the security apparatus of Bengal indicated that it would take some time for the border to be fully operational .
'This chicken neck area is also very sensitive . It may take some more time for the border to be smooth', an Indian security official told the media.
Pashupatinagar, Jogbani naka and Bhandabari naka of Sunsari have been eased from Sunday . Traffic has also started to decrease at these points. According to the security agency, the number of people passing through for shopping and coming from there for treatment is also increasing.
Mechi customs chief says, 'We are rising from the ashes'
Last Tuesday, during the agitation by the chaotic crowd in the name of Zen-G group, many municipalities, government offices and houses of public representatives of Jhapa were set on fire and vandalized . At the same time, the busy Mechi customs office of the eastern border also became the star of that crowd.
Customs chief Harihar Paudel tells the experience of seeing the scene like a dream. "There are only ashes left in the office," he says. According to him, there is no computer, no records, and no chair to work. "Now there is a state of confusion as to how to start work from here", he says.
Customs administrative building, two warehouses, passenger branch and checking center on Asian highway as well as customs agents' rooms were all damaged . All the goods in the office, vehicles, computers, air conditioners, liquor collected in warehouses and tea and coffee kept for export have been looted . Burned to ashes.
According to the customs office, more than 25 vehicles that were put up for auction, including the head of the office, have been burnt . 25 computers inside the office have been completely burnt and destroyed.
17 AC units of the office complex have been burnt . Half of the illegally imported containers seized at different times in the liquor warehouse were also stolen . One and a half containers of tea and coffee worth about 20 million, kept for export to third countries, have been robbed. According to customs sources, TV, refrigerator, chairs and tables were also looted. Paudel, head of
, says, "They didn't even keep the commode in my room."
A team including Chief District Officer Gopal Adhikari and Chief of Police Rajan Limbu observed the incident. The administration has started the work of preparing a preliminary account of the damage, but seeing the actual scene is shocking, says an employee.
The arson has stopped not only the office, but also the administrative work and business activities. The customs officials are now confused as to how to resume the service . Chief Paudel says, "Now we have only ashes, we are worried about how to work".
