Nepal, Sept. 23 -- Authorities have stepped up security checks at the Birgunj Customs point after revenue collection in the first two months of the current Fiscal Year (FY) fell short of target.

The customs office had set a target of Rs 43.03 billion in revenue for Shrawan and Bhadra (mid-July to mid-September), but collected only Rs 39.15 billion, achieving 90.99 percent of the goal. In response, security agencies have intensified monitoring to curb revenue leakage from smuggling.

Chief Customs Officer Bishnu Prasad Gyawali said both the Armed Police Force (APF) and Nepal Police have been mobilised along the border. APF personnel have been deployed at the frontlines, while Nepal Police form a secondary security cordon.

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