JHAPA, OCTOBER 1

Despite the announcement of the District Administration Office of Jhapa, Kakadbhitta, and Bhadrapur border points haven't come into operation after India refused to open the border points closed at the height of COVID pandemic.

According to Chief District Officer Shrawan Kumar Timilisana, initiatives were taken to resume the entry points following the circulation of the Home Ministry towards that effect.

On the announcement of the resumption of the border entry point, locals in the bordering area in Nepal headed to India through the Mechi Bridge of Bhadrapur but were stopped by Indian security personnel citing no correspondence from the higher up to resume the Bhadrapur-Galgaliya entry point. 'The DM of Kishangunj has asked us to send a copy of our government's decision to resume the border point. The official process from the Indian side may take a couple of days,' he said.

Meanwhile, movements across the border from Kakadbhitta has also been difficult as India has yet to resume Panitanki border point. The Indian side is allowing people to enter Nepal only by producing vaccination card. Area Police Office, Kakadbhitta, DSP Sunilsingh Dahal said attempts to open the border point will be made after discussing the Indian side. A version of this article appears in the print on October 2, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.