Farmers protest APF 'excesses'

RAJBIRAJ, Sept 7: Local farmers staged demonstrations in front of the customs office in Tilathi VDC of Saptari on Friday protesting the ´excesses´ of Armed Police Force (APF) personnel deployed at the border check-point.



The farmers have accused APF personnel of confiscating “fertilizers” they bring from across the neighboring Indian town. [break]



“The government has failed to supply us fertilizers. Our fields have remained barren but no one cares,” said Dineshowr Mishra, a local farmer.



Dev Narayan Yadav, former chairman of Tilathi VDC said the APF personnel have been unnecessarily troubling the local farmers. “We have even expressed our concerns with the chief district officer, but to no avail,” said Dev Narayan.



Ganga Ram Yadav, another local farmer accused APF inspector and in-charge at Tilathi check-point Mahendra Hamal of demanding a bribe of Rs 7,000 from local farmers.



Similarly, Umesh Kumar Mandal complained that the APF personnel at the check point seized the money he had brought home after working in Punjab.

However, Inspector Hamal denied the allegations.

Related story

Public transportation comes to a halt in Kathmandu due to prote...