Kathmandu, Oct. 11 -- Angad Murau, a resident of Kapilvastu in western Nepal, was returning from India on a motorcycle carrying chillies and colocasia on June 1 when he encountered an unexpected inspection by the Armed Police Force along the Bargadawa-Purnihawa road.

When security personnel ordered him to stop, Murau set fire to his motorcycle, police said. The vehicle, bearing an Indian registration number and used to transport vegetables, was destroyed in the blaze. About two and a half quintals of chillies and colocasia carried on the motorcycle were also partly burnt.

The incident offered a glimpse into the lengths to which people involved in the illicit movement of goods will go to avoid security checks.

The problem extends well b...