Birgunj/Janakpur, September 22

India today tightened security in areas bordering Nepal considering the upcoming polls in Bihar and ongoing violent protests in the Tarai belt.

Indian security forces started conducting detailed security checks into the vehicles and people entering and leaving Nepal at Raxaul, bordering Nepal’s trade hub Birgunj, early this morning today.

“Security has been beefed up keeping in view of the forthcoming election in Bihar and agitation in the plains of Nepal,” Raxaul-based journalist Bijay Bahadur Giri said. Giri added that Indian security forces had started conducting security checks at four places, in addition to checking vehicles’ documents before they entered.

“Due to the tightening of security, 70-80 vehicles entered Nepal today, compared to daily average of 200-250 vehicles,” Giri added.

Tightening of the security at Raksaul has hit export of goods and people’s movement to Nepal. Indian customs officials at Raxaul said they had not halted the export of goods but tightened the border considering the sensitive security situation. Assistant Collector at Raxaul Customs Kamlesh Kumar said, “Exports dipped as clearing agents did not show up due to security reasons.”

More than 277 heavy trucks, 23 tankers carrying petroleum products and 600 gas bullet tankers entered Nepal via Bhairahawa customs point today. Bhairahawa customs chief Labanya Kumar Dhakal said, “Due to public holidays to celebrate new statute for two days, vehicles’ pressure had increased on the India side.”