However, the fragile security situation amid the unrest is serving as boon to smugglers in the region. As imports of essential goods and fuel through legal checkpoints have failed to meet the demands, local businessmen and unemployed youths are taking advantage of irregular routes to smuggle goods. Upcoming festival of Chhath has also caused such activities to surge.
"Due to the scarcity of goods in the market, people are ready to buy things at higher prices. The smuggled goods are sold both in the local markets as well as sent to other cities and towns," said Bijay Sarawagi, central member of FNCCI. "Unemployed youths, local businessmen, people across the border are taking advantage of the situation," he added.
According to sources, it is easy for smugglers to carry out the illegal activities in collusion with protestors, who also get a cut from the profit.
A local businessman said that many unemployed youths take part in the demonstrations during the day and smuggle goods by the night.
Meanwhile, Jitendra Sonal, a leader of the agitating Madhesi Morcha admitted that smuggling of goods and black marketing is rife in the region. "We need to take the matter seriously and take steps to prevent it," he said.
Sources said that the smuggled goods are carried on bicycles and motorbikes to Gaur, Chandranigahpur, Shivanagar, Garuda, Pipara, Smanpur and Katarpur, among other local markets. Similarly, they are also sent to Kathmandu, Narayangadh and Hetauda. Edible oils, dry fruits and other essentials, electronic goods, cosmetics and clothes are being smuggled, according to police sources.
"It is not easy to maintain vigil or control the smugglers," admitted Mohan Singh, chief of Border Security Force in Bara. "We cannot work that fearlessly."
Singh added that even though the police are not taking action against the smuggling and black marketing right now, the wrongdoers are being watched. “Once the situation becomes normal, action would be taken against such people,” said Singh.
Police even named some persons as active smugglers working from several check points. Sohanlal Sah, Dhanilal Sah, Rajesh Sah, Munna Jaiswal are busy smuggling from the border sides, they said. "They buy goods from India and take them to Kalaiya, Bariyapur, Janjbhawanipur, Jeetpur, Simara, Nichgarh and so on," the police said. The source added that fuel and essential goods are first stored at the local markets and then sent to bigger cities.
According to the FNCCI central member Sarawagi, even small businessmen are forced to rely on the smuggled goods. "Due to acute scarcity of essential things, people are forced to purchase things at higher rates and from whoever they get it," he said.
"Many of the youths who are involved in the agitation actually are unemployed. For them, this crisis provides an opportunity to make profit through smuggling of goods," he added.
As the unrest in Madhes is going on for over three months now and the blockade crosses 50 days, normal life in the region has come to a standstill. "Only smugglers are benefiting from the ongoing situation," noted Sarawagi.
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