India tightens border checkpoints

MAHOTTARI/SAPTARI, Sept 22: A day after expressing serious concerns over the ongoing protests in the Tarai-Madhes areas, the Indian government on Tuesday tightened the border in Bihar along the Nepali side from Saptari to Mahottari. “I have learnt that even one kilo of goods are not allowed to pass through the border from India,” said Anjani Kumar Das, former president of Tilathi VDC, Saptari.
Many Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel have been deployed for the border security, said the locals, who have been worst hit due to the ongoing protests over the constitution for more than a month.

During the banda, Indian markets were the alternatives for the affected locals to purchase basic commodities but they have been left with no option now. There is a similar blockade in Indo-Nepal border checkpoints near Bhittamod in Mahottari district. SSB's Assistant Sub Inspector Ramesh KR Sharma informed that security has been tightened as per the direction of the Home Ministry of India.

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“Such a blockade has been made at the Indo-Nepal border checkpoints in view of the forthcoming elections in Bihar and the ongoing demonstrations across Nepali side of the border,” said Sharma.

However, Chief District Officer (CDO) Dipak Kafle, of Mahottari district, said that he has not received any formal message regarding the blockade in the border areas.