Nepal-India border in Banke will remain closed for three days during the elections to the House of Representatives and Provincial Assemblies due on November 20. In an effort to make the elections free, fair and independent, it has been decided to close all the adjoining checkpoints of the district, including the Nepal-India Jamunaha checkpoint for 72 hours starting from November 16, said the District Administration Office Banke.
Surya Bahadur Khatri, the Chief District Officer (CDO), said that according to the agreement reached between the security officials of the border districts of Nepal and India recently, the Nepal-India border point will remain closed from November 16 midnight to November 20 midnight.
At the same time, the main border Gulariya of Bardiya and all other subsidiary border points of the district will also be closed.
CDO Khatri said that not only Nepal but also the Indian administration would completely close the border from their sides.
According to Banke District Police Office, there will be a complete ban on the movement of vehicle and people through the border during the specified period. Police Chief and SP Shyam Krishna Adhikari of District Police Office Banke said that anyone who forcibly enters during the restriction will be dealt with according to the law.
SP Adhikari said that by increasing the number of security personnel at all adjoining checkpoints, including the main checkpoint at Jamunaha, continuous security patrols will be conducted for three days and security personnel from both countries will also conduct joint patrols.
Since most of the polling stations in Banke district, which borders India, are deemed to be very sensitive, security arrangements have been made accordingly and manpower has also been increased, claimed SP Adhikari.
In order to make the security of the border effective, the security officials of both countries at the border are having daily discussions and meetings, according to the Banke administration.
Source : TRN,
