Armed Police Force Nepal to Close India Border 72 Hours Ahead of By-Elections

Kathmandu. The Armed Police Force Nepal (APF) has decided to close the Nepal-India border gates 72 hours in advance of the House of Representatives by-elections scheduled for Falgun 21.

This decision was made during the 16th DIG-level coordination meeting held between the APF Nepal and the Indian Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in Biratnagar, Morang, on Friday.

The meeting discussed issues including border security, information exchange, control of illegal entry of third-country nationals, human trafficking, counterfeit currency, and the smuggling of arms and narcotics.

Furthermore, both sides discussed the preservation of border pillars, facilitation for travelers, joint patrolling, disaster rescue drills, and the operation of mutual sports activities.

Additionally, discussions covered identifying potential border crossings, assessing risks from these routes, monitoring the activities of refugees/migrants, establishing checkpoints and barriers at various levels, strictly controlling infiltration by criminal elements, and imposing a complete ban on the sale and consumption of intoxicants in the border areas.

At the meeting, APF Nepal No. 1 Barah Battalion Headquarters Sunsari's Battalion Commander, Additional Inspector General Kumar Neupane, mentioned that the border is not just a line between two countries but a symbol of friendship. Indian SSB DIG Saroj Kumar Thakur expressed commitment to making the Nepal-India border area stronger and more robust in the coming days.

The meeting was attended by Armed Police Inspectors General Anjani Kumar Pokhrel, Dipendra Shah, Krishna Dhakal, and Manish Thapa, along with Indian SSB representatives DIG Saroj Kumar Thakur, Manjit Singh, Suresh Subramaniam, Rajesh Tikku, and Manis Kumar.