They were protesting the arrest of customs agent Sunil Poddar, who was arrested on Monday night along with a tractor loaded surgery equipment and medicines meant for B P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences.[break]
Acting on a tip-off, police had impounded the tractor from Biratnagar Bus Park after they found the tractor was also carrying goods that were not included in the customs clearance document.
“We had to arrest Poddar as he intercepted while we were taking the tractor under our control,” Bishwaraj Pokharel, Superintendent of Police at District Police Office-Morang, told Republica.
Police have sent the seized goods to the Revenue Investigation Office for further investigation.
The customs agents had camped on the premises of the customs office on Tuesday. Later, police had removed the hurdles at the customs office. The agents didn´t return to work on Wednesday.
Bijendra Parashar, chairman of Customs Agents Association, accused the police of treating customs agents like a criminal. “Cadres of Young Communist League (YCL) had sought donation of Rs 400,000 from the importer. They called the police after the importer denied to pay them such a huge amount as donation,” Parashar said.
He said the customs agents won´t return to work unless Poddar is released.
The association has also submitted a memorandum to Chief District Officer of Morang, accusing police of arresting Poddar even though the importer and valid customs clearance document.
Because of the protest, Biratnagar customs is losing revenue of Rs 42.8 million a day.
Related story
Revenue collection decreases further at Biratnagar Customs Offi...
