MFJ activists padlock Bhittamod custom office

Activists of Madhesi Janaadhikari Forum (MJF) have padlocked the main customs office of Bhittamod on Friday warning of action to the staff if they perform their duty. The padlock has rendered significant loss in revenue generation.

Following the threat of MJF, which was made public on Friday, all 38 staff except  a staff and a guard fled the office. A report quoted Bindeshwor Paswan, the guard as saying that they were are planning to leave soon.

On a normal day, Bhittamod customs generates daily revenue of about Rs. 2 hundred thousands. According to Satya Narayan Yadav, staff of the custom office, the collection went down to zero from Friday. He also said that illegal cross-border trade has increased as traders were taking advantage of the situation.