Kathmandu, April 16
The West Bengal state government in India has unilaterally closed the Nepal-India border point at Kakarbhitta, a major eastern border point of Nepal, in its bid to prevent the coronavirus outbreak in the state.
The state government made the decision not only without consulting the Nepali counterpart, but it also goes against the Indian central government’s directive.
Mechi Customs Office chief Dhruva Raj Bishwakarma says, “Officials across the border have informed me that the Bengal government sent a letter to the customs office, informing the border has been closed indefinitely.” Accordingly, Indian customs officials are preparing to reroute the consignments via other border points, according to him.
The border closure will deprive Nepal of receiving the supplies from Bangladesh and Bhutan also.
Meanwhile, the Department of Customs in Kathmandu says it has taken note of the recent development, stating efforts have already begun to solve the problem.
A letter has been sent to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Supplies demanding that solution to the problem.
