RAUTAHAT, May 6: While smuggling has reached its peak in Rautahat with the connivance of the customs officials, Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) is investigating the head of the Gaur Customs Office on charges of smuggling.

After it was found that the goods from India were being smuggled through customs with the connivance of the employees, the CIAA conducted an investigation against the head of customs, Basudev Nepal. He admitted that the authority had asked about this and he had sent a letter in response to it.

On April 20, cloth worth about Rs 800,000, which had entered through Gaur customs, was seized in Hetauda of Makwanpur. Similarly, clothes worth Rs 835,000, which were being sent to Kathmandu on March 18, were seized at Chandranigahpur, some 42 km north of Gaur customs.

Earlier in the third week of January, the footage of two Armed Police Force personnel transacting money with the customer on the CCTV of Gaur Customs Office reached the Armed Police Headquarters. It was revealed that the Armed Police and Nepal Police were also helping the smugglers with the tacit understanding of the customs officials. 

Similarly, it was found that more than 50 women from the border areas of Gaur and Bairaganiya are smuggling goods to both sides and customs officials are collecting Rs 10 to Rs 20 per consignment. The customs officials mentioned that the collected amount will reach directly to Nepal, the head of the office.

Although the goal of the Nepal government is to increase the customs revenue, it has been found that the employees of Gaur customs harass those who buy and bring household goods and but the same employees ignore the people who smuggle several times every day.

There is also a complaint that when trying to pay customs for four-wheelers coming from India, the customs officials charge more money. The Indian citizens who do not know how to speak Nepali are deliberately made to suffer more by Gaur customs staff and charge more money. 

Pawan Sahani from India Lakhora said that he was miffed  at the Gaur Customs Office as he had to give Rs 600 despite receiving a receipt of Rs 500. There is a complaint that the customs officials demand at least Rs 50 for snacks from Indian citizens.

After the complaint reached CIAA about the misbehavior of Gaur Customs, the anti-graft body sought a written reply from the head of the office. According to customs sources, the authority has also demanded documents. 

When contacting Nepal about this matter, the head of customs responded that he is on leave as his health is not good.

DIG Shah's strict instructions to stop smuggling

After the news of widespread smuggling in the Nepal-India border area, Chief DIG Dipendra Shah of Madhesh Province Armed Police Force Chinmasta Bahini Bardibas has reached the Rautahat headquarters and given strict instructions to control the smuggling across the border. DIG Shah also warned that the commander will be responsible if smuggling is not controlled. He has instructed to work with zero tolerance for illegal activities across the border. While DIG Shah was giving instructions at the BOP located near the Gaur Customs Office, the armed police stationed at the customs seized two motorcycles and Rs 700,000 with undisclosed source.

Meanwhile, the Armed Police Rautahat has recovered various materials worth 105.7 rupees from the first week of third week of January to May 5. 

 
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