KATHMANDU: The Armed Police Force (APF) has taken 775 electric vehicles imported through the China-Nepal border under investigation.
The vehicles were taken into custody from different locations, including Jomsom in Mustang, Kushma in Parbat, and Hemja in Kaski on Wednesday night. All of them had already been cleared by the Mustang Customs Office.
Khemnath Sharma, Deputy Superintendent of Police at APF No. 24 Kalika Battalion, Kaski, said the action was taken following instructions from higher authorities to inspect vehicles imported through the Korala border point. He added that an investigation is currently underway.
“We received instructions from higher authorities to inspect vehicles imported through the Korala border. Accordingly, the vehicles were taken under control from various locations. The investigation is ongoing,” Sharma told MeroAuto.
The Mustang Customs Office said it has not received any official information regarding the seizure of the vehicles it had already cleared.
Information Officer Amindra Singh said the office learned about the incident through media reports but has not yet received any formal notice. According to him, 649 vehicles were cleared and released from the customs yard on May 25 and 26 alone.
“We have seen media reports stating that electric vehicles imported through the Korala border have been taken under control. However, we have not received any official information so far,” Singh told MeroAuto. “A total of 649 vehicles were cleared and released from the customs yard on May 25 and 26.”
He said the actual reason behind the action would become clear only after official information is received.
Yamuna Shrestha, Managing Director of Cimex Inc., the official distributor of BYD in Nepal, stated that all of the company’s vehicles have been imported through standard customs procedures.
“When concerns arise, it is the responsibility of the state to conduct an investigation, and we are fully cooperating,” she told MeroAuto.
