KATHMANDU, Aug 11: Nepal and India have decided to establish 'help desks' of border police personnel at major border points in order facilitate the movement of the people of the two countries during the upcoming Dashain and Tihar festivals.

During the third Coordination Meeting between Armed Police Force (Nepal) and Shashastra Seema Bal (India) held in New Delhi on Aug 7-10, the two countries agreed to set up help desks along the border during the festive season.

According to the Nepali embassy in New Delhi, the meeting deliberated on security scenario at Nepal-India border and decided to take further measures for enhancing coordination and cooperation between the two border security forces. “Both sides agreed to hold consultations on regular and routinized basis at all levels—from the leadership to Border Observation Post on the ground,” the embassy said in a statement.

The meeting agreed on smooth conduct of joint patrolling at the border to control cross-border crimes including human trafficking and smuggling of goods.

The meeting agreed on smooth conduct of joint patrolling at the border to control possible cross border crimes including human and drugs trafficking, and goods and arms smuggling. The meeting also agreed to focus more on training respective personnel on better people-friendly behavior, the embassy further said.

The Nepali delegation at the meeting was led by Armed Police Force (APF) Chief Shailendra Khanal, while Indian delegation was led by Director General of SSB Rajni Kant Mishra. The Nepali delegation also included other officials from APF, foreign and home ministries.

Besides establishing Help Desk at the border to facilitate movement of people in the upcoming festival seasons, two police organizations during the meeting also concurred to augment mutual exchange of training and exposure visits. The next Coordination Meeting shall bin Kathmandu in year's time in mutually convenient date.