Parsa, April 28 -- Only two of the 11 sub-customs offices in Parsa and Bara under the Birgunj Customs Office are currently operational. Although the government has introduced strict rules requiring customs duty on goods worth over Rs100 brought from India to increase revenue, most of the offices meant to process these payments remain closed.

In Parsa, only the Thori office is operational, while in Bara only the Matiarwa office is functioning. Long-term closures have affected the Piparpati, Simraungadh, Kabahi and Kachorwa offices in Bara. Similarly, the Sirsiya, Bhiswa, Alau, Gadh Prasauni and Janakitola offices in Parsa are also shut.

Over the past two weeks, security forces have tightened border checks. While Birgunj is the country's ...