Frustrated by the prolonged protests, local residents and businessmen on Friday forcefully opened the Birgunj-Raxaul border, allowing cargo trucks and vehicles to cross freely into Nepal from neighbouring India.

The border point, closed for more than four months due to protests by the Madhes-based parties, last Friday (January 16) had seen some movement with five freight carriers entering Nepal, but it was a brief affair, as protesters blockaded the crossing again.

On Friday, local residents and businessmen pulled down the tents and removed roadblocks set up by the protesting Madhes-based parties, following which at least five dozen freight carriers rolled into Nepal through Birgunj-Raxaul border through which Nepal brings 90 percent of its total fuel demand and 70 percent of other imports.