July 28: It has been two years since the Armed Police Force (APF) set up a company in Baitadi, which shares an open border with neighbouring India. During this period, APF has confiscated a large amount of goods smuggled into the country. But the para-military force hasn’t arrested a single person in connection to smuggled goods, according to available reports.

During the last fiscal year 2019/20, APF confiscated goods worth Rs 154,000 which were being imported without paying customs duty. But surprisingly, APF failed to arrest those who had brought the goods into the country.

There are lots of similar instances in which Nepal Police has reportedly handed over unclaimed goods to the customs department. But Nepal Police has somehow managed to arrest a few persons in such cases.  Nepal Police had arrested a person who had smuggled goods into Nepal a few days ago and handed over to the customs department.

However, the locals have started questioning the reason behind APF confiscating smuggled goods but failing to arrest the persons involved in smuggling.

This has given rise to speculations that APF is colluding with the smugglers in bringing goods into the country.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Amit Singh stationed in Baitadi informed New Business Age that last year they had arrested one person who had smuggled timber and another for illegally importing tobacco.

DSP Singh addmitted that they are finding it difficult to curb smuggling because the locals inform the smugglers about their presence when they are in patrol.

APF has been patrolling Jhulaghat area of Dashrath Chand Municipality ever since it was deployed in the area. It is believed that maximum number of smuggling take place in this region. Mostly, tobacco and its products are smuggled into Nepal from India. Of late, APF has also started patrolling Pancheshwar area after establishing a Border Out Post (BOP). It is expected to reduce the incidents of smuggling.