Raxaul, July 8: Hundreds of residents staged a blockade on the India-Nepal border today to protest against the newly introduced toll on Indian two-wheelers and ambulances at Birgunj in Nepal.

The protesters said Indians, who go to Nepal, have to cough up a toll to the Nepal customs. Earlier, only four-wheelers were supposed to pay this levy. Since the past couple of days, officials of Nepal customs have been demanding money from even two-wheelers and ambulances. They were, however, not being given any receipt by the authorities in Nepal.

Sources said this toll was imposed after a new chief district officer (CDO) and superintendent of police (SP) were posted at Birgunj under Parsa district of the neighbouring country.

Sonu Saraf, a Raxaul-based trader, said: “Nepal customs, known as Birgunj bhansar, have started to harass drivers of Indian vehicles. The officials claim they are acting under new rules that have been enforced by the new CDO and SP.”

Rajan Kumar, another resident, said the bhansar authorities were extorting money from even people riding on two-wheelers and travelling in ambulances.

“Earlier, ambulances and two-wheelers from both India and Nepal were exempted from tax to allow their free movement across the border. We want our authorities to impose similar rules on vehicles and visitors from Nepal,” said Ajai Kumar, another protester.

Raxaul deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Rajeev Ranjan said the residents of the city had staged a blockade near the border today. Police officers rushed to the spot to placate the protesters and prevent any untoward incident.

The DSP told The Telegraph: “We have taken up the matter with the newly posted CDO and SP of Parsa district, as well as the Indian consulate in Birgunj. If the citizens continue to face such problems, it might lead to a law and order crisis. The authorities of both India and Nepal need to look into it.”

Sources said officers of Indian customs, Sashastra Seema Bal and representatives of Indian traders have started a dialogue with the authorities in Nepal. Till the filing of this report, no resolution had been reached at. The blockade had not been lifted either.