Addressing the inaugural function of Border Security Workshop-2009, organised by Armed Police Force (APF), minister Rawal admitted that combating arms, drugs and human trafficking along the border was an ordeal to the government. The function comes one day after a Chinese delegation arrived in Kathmandu.

"We share over 1,400 and 1,850 kilometres of border with China and India, respectively. It is not easy to fight cross-border crimes and also to benefit from the economic prosperity of our neighbours," he argued, adding that a fresh demarcation process was underway to ensure that border pillars are not dislodged and Nepali territory is not encroached.

"The government is having a tough time maintaining internal security and fighting cross-border crimes and infiltration simultaneously as the country is treading through political transition," said Rawal.

The government has empowered APF — the paramilitary force — to guard the country's border, after the end of the decade-long armed insurgency, through a legislation. APF Border Security Offices (BSO) have been set up in 18 districts, each manned by 237 personnel, while plans are afoot to establish the same in three other districts.

APF IG Sanat Kumar Basnet said two BSOs would be established on the border with India and one on that with China by the end of the current fiscal.

The three-day workshop is expected to seek an amicable solution to the border-related problems, discuss the personnel's do's and don'ts while being dutiful to the country and the people and to find ways to increase revenue collection, among others.