Protest erupts in Siraha after customs office shutdown, highway blocked
The protest intensified after the government published a notice in the Gazette on May 7, confirming the closure of the Bariyarpatti Small Customs Office.
KATHMANDU: Residents and traders in Siraha district have blocked the Hulaki (Postal) Highway in protest against the government’s decision to shut down the Small Customs Office in Bariyarpatti.
The protest intensified after the government published a notice in the Gazette on May 7, confirming the closure of the Bariyarpatti Small Customs Office.
Following the decision, local residents, business owners, and traders staged demonstrations, demanding its immediate reinstatement.
Protesters placed benches across the road at Bariyarpatti Chowk in Ward No. 3, effectively halting traffic movement along the key highway route.
The agitation has been joined by local business groups, the Madhesh Province Assembly member Sanjay Kumar Yadav, and the Sukhipur Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Demonstrators have been holding daily protests, arguing that the closure of the customs office has directly impacted cross-border trade and disrupted local economic activity in the border region.
Due to the blockade, vehicular movement along the Hulaki Highway has been severely affected, causing inconvenience to commuters and transport operators.
Locals have urged the government to reverse its decision, warning that continued closure could further harm the region’s trade and livelihoods.
