Video: Public clash with Nepal border security as customs rule targets daily items

A viral video from Nepal’s border region has brought fresh attention to growing public anger over the government’s decision to impose strict customs duty on goods brought from India, with even low-value household items being stopped or seized.

The footage, reportedly from the Jamunia customs point in Nepalgunj, shows Armed Police Force (APF) personnel checking people entering from the Indian side and confiscating goods deemed to exceed the 100 threshold set by the government. In one instance, a woman carrying a packet of chips for her children is stopped, prompting her to voice strong protest.

EVERYDAY ITEMS UNDER SCRUTINY

Under the new rule introduced by the Balen Shah-led government, individuals bringing goods worth more than 100 from India into Nepal must either pay customs duty or risk having the items seized.

Residents in border areas say the measure has disrupted daily life, as many families depend on cross-border purchases for basic household needs. The enforcement, as seen in the viral video, has intensified resentment, with even small purchases such as snacks and groceries coming under scrutiny.

WOMEN, FAMILIES BEAR THE BRUNT

Locals say the policy has had a disproportionate impact on women managing household expenses. Many complain that the rule has significantly increased the cost of living, making it harder to sustain daily needs.

In the viral clip, the woman’s protest captures a broader frustration among ordinary citizens, who argue that the rule is impractical and insensitive to ground realities in border regions.

PART OF WIDER UNREST

The controversy comes amid wider protests against the Balen Shah government, which has faced mounting criticism within weeks of taking office with a two-thirds majority.

The customs duty rule on Indian goods has emerged as a major flashpoint, alongside discontent over the handling of student unions and allegations against Home Minister Sudan Gurung.

With protests spreading from border towns to major cities and even reaching Singha Durbar, the government is under increasing pressure to revisit its policies.

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