DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇵 Nepal /Energy & Infrastructure

Nepal emerges as a transit route for smuggling watermelon kernels into India

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Nepal is increasingly used as a transit route for smuggling watermelon kernels into India, with traders exploiting low customs tariffs.
  • Police recently seized 948 sacks of watermelon seeds in Jhapa district, part of a growing pattern of cross-border smuggling.
  • Similar seizures and clashes between security personnel and locals have been reported across the Tarai region.

Nepal is becoming a significant transit point for smuggling watermelon kernels into India, as traders take advantage of lower customs tariffs on agricultural imports. This practice involves bringing large quantities of the product into Nepal before moving it across the porous border into India.

Authorities have recently intensified efforts to curb this illicit trade. On Sunday evening, police in Jhapa district seized 948 sacks of watermelon seeds from a residence in Bhadrapur Municipality. The operation, involving 55 police personnel, was prompted by a tip-off and led to the discovery of the large stockpile in two warehouses owned by local resident Bhimlal Subedi. Preliminary investigations suggest the seeds were brought into Nepal illegally to evade customs duties. The seized goods were handed over to the Bhadrapur Customs Office.

A 55-strong police team was deployed simply to transport the sheer volume of the seized goods.

— Basundhara KhadkaSuperintendent of Police and chief of the Jhapa District Police Office, describing the scale of the recent seizure.

This seizure is indicative of a broader trend of cross-border smuggling that has led to confrontations. On June 11, a clash occurred in Rautahat district when security personnel attempted to seize nearly 12,000 kilograms of watermelon seeds. Locals obstructed the police, leading to a brief confrontation where tear gas was deployed. Six people, including three security personnel, were injured in the incident.

Similar incidents have been reported throughout the Tarai region. In Sarlahi district, watermelon seeds valued at Rs1.5 million were seized on June 18. Other seizures include 314 sacks intercepted in Bara district and 70 sacks in Siraha district. On June 25, the Armed Police Force intercepted 249 sacks of watermelon seeds being illegally exported to India through a border point in Sarlahi, also seizing four Indian pickup trucks and a Nepali truck as smugglers fled.

Initially, police officers reached the site in two vehicles. However, after discovering that both warehouses were packed to capacity, additional personnel were called in.

— Basundhara KhadkaDescribing the logistics of the recent seizure in Jhapa.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog