BIRGUNJ, FEBRUARY 12

A clash between Armed Police Force and illegal sand diggers in Parsa district has left five APF personnel injured, on Friday morning.

A group of about 50 to 60 Indian nationals were digging sand illegally at Woriya River in Peepaladi Bishnupur of Jagarnathpur Rural Municipality-1 in the district. They were carrying the sand on five to seven trucks and were stopped at the Border Out Post by APF personnel after the police received information on their activities.

The joint team led by Police Inspector Basanta GC of Border Out Post, Pidariguthi and Police Inspector Kedar Rai of Border Out Post, Jirabhawani had tried to stop the sand diggers.

Two of the five security personnel were seriously injured while others remaining have sustained minor injuries. They are currently being treated at Narayani Hospital, Birgunj, informed Chief of Armed Police Force unit of Parsa, Superintendent of Police Rajendra Khadka.

It has been reported that people from across the border have been smuggling truck loads of sand on a daily basis.

Meanwhile, locals are worried about the environmental damage this has caused.

Chair of Jagarnathpur Rural Municipality shared that discussions have been going on for the past 20 years regarding the river's ownership between Nepal and India, and question has been raised as to why the authorities have not stopped such illegal activities.