Overview

• On June 16, four local transport and export associations launched a hunger strike and blockaded the Fulbari Land Port to demand curbs on Bhutanese lorries.
• Protesters say Bhutanese lorries carry nearly 200 truckloads of boulders daily, undercutting Indian haulers and jeopardizing the livelihoods of more than 60,000 people.
• Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb intervened by meeting with protest leaders, leading to a temporary reopening of the border.
• At the border, around 2,000 trucks have been stranded and a large police presence remains in place.
• Demonstrators have given authorities a three-day deadline to meet their demands or face resumption of the blockade.