Janakpurdham: Locals and traders have blocked the Hulaki Highway in protest against the closure of the small customs office at Bariyarpatti in Siraha district.

The protest intensified after the Government of Nepal published a notice in the Nepal Gazette on May 4 announcing the closure of the Siraha Bariyarpatti Small Customs Office.

Local residents and traders obstructed the highway by placing benches in the middle of the road at Bariyarpatti Chowk in Bariyarpatti Rural Municipality-3. The protest was joined by the market management committee, Sanjay Kumar Yadav, members of the Sukhipur Chamber of Commerce and other locals.

Demonstrators have been staging daily protests demanding the reopening of the customs office. Vehicular movement along the Hulaki Highway has been disrupted due to the road blockade.

Locals say the closure of the customs office will directly affect cross-border trade, revenue collection and daily economic activities in the border area. They have urged the government to reverse its decision.