MAHOTTARI, Sept 18: With the objective of tightening the security and preventing any untoward incident during the third round of local elections slated for September 18, the customs points along the Indo-Nepal border in Mahottari district have been sealed from Saturday.
As informed by Baburam Shrestha, Chief District Officer (CDO) of Mahottari, the security authorities of both India and Nepal jointly took the decision to seal the border for three days considering the security threat to the elections. There are altogether 15 local units in the district and five of them share borders with India. A total of 38.4 km long border with India in Matihani Municipality, Jaleshwor Municipality, Manara Siswa Municipality, Samsi Rural Municipality and Sonam Rural Municipality has been sealed.
Mahottari border with India sealed for polls
In order to create a free and fair environment for the elections, border has been sealed from Saturday 7 am till Monday 7 pm. "Taking advantage of the open border, criminal gangs may try to create various obstacles to foil the elections or disturb the voting process. So, we had to take this step," said CDO Shrestha. According to him, cross-border movement of people has been strictly prohibited until the elections. After sealing the border, vehicular movement along the border area of Mahottari has been halted since Saturday morning.
Security has been beefed up along the border and joint teams of Indian and Nepali security personnel have been deployed along the border to tighten the security. "A special team has been mobilized to monitor the possible movement of criminals and weapons," said CDO Shrestha.
Furthermore, medicine shops and pharmacies on the Indian side of the border are being strictly monitored in order to check drug smuggling. Ban on liquor in Bihar has increased the number of people coming to the Nepali side of the border for drinking. So, to discourage such activities, the district administration has warned of taking strict action against the shopkeepers and dealers if found selling or distributing liquor after 8 pm.
However, sealing the border is a customary practice in every election. Earlier, the border was sealed only for 48 hours but this time it has been increased to 72 hours as it is a local level election, informed CDO Shrestha.
Caption: The Indo-Nepal border remains sealed at Bhittamod customs point of Jaleshwor Municipality of Mahottari in this photo taken on Sunday.
