Kedar Karki
ITAHARI: During a Koshi Province-level security conference in Biratnagar on May 14, Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak called for an urgent need to curb smuggling along Nepal-India border regions.
Stating that there were growing complaints about smuggling activities along the border region, he directed authorities to implement visibly effective measures within 30 days. “Increased smuggling is fueling criminal activities, helping people amass wealth and reducing revenue collection. This should be controlled,” Lekhak said.
His remarks confirmed border areas were rife with smuggling activities—a concern that was also raised during a recent Koshi Provincial Assembly session.
Former Chief Minister of Koshi Province, Kedar Karki, accused customs officials and security personnel stationed at the Nepal-India border in Rani, Morang, of collusion. “How do we expand the revenue base? Should we start taxing the air we breathe?” Karki asked angrily. “We already pay taxes on drinking water and even for urinating. More than 60% of tax revenue is misused. Shouldn’t we focus on stopping that first?”
Karki made these remarks during a discussion on the annual policies and programs for the fiscal year 2025/26.
He alleged that customs offices, police posts and armed police units were placing loyalists in key positions to facilitate revenue evasion. While strict checks are staged during the day, he claimed, goods are smuggled in at night through pre-arranged deals. “There is a growing trend of sending cronies to customs and police posts to collect kickbacks. Even elected representatives are now involved in this racket,” he said.
Karki also accused the chief of the District Police Office, Morang, Superintendent of Police (SP) Narayan Chimouria, of colluding with smugglers. “A few days ago, the SP sent his men, asking, ‘Where’s the Rs 500,000 from collected earlier?’ They harass people carrying two kilos of sugar or a couple of sarees for personal use during the day, but allow entire truckloads through at night. This is not governance,” Karki said.
He added that the home minister’s directive to stop smuggling had not been enforced.
“Smuggling continues unchecked at night, while only daytime checks are in place. The SP reportedly claims he has to send money all the way up to the home minister. How high does this go? Is corruption really this blatant?” Karki questioned.
The former chief minister also said the practice of harassing small-time carriers during the day and allowing trucks through at night must end. “Just days ago, during a night inspection, I saw goods being smuggled on carts through a lane near Arun Cinema Hall in Rani—with police officers flashing lights to let them through,” he added.
