Nepalgunj, September 25

With Dashain and Tihar just around the corner, long queues of Nepalis returning home to celebrate the festivals has been common sight at Banke’s Nepalgunj-based Jamunaha entry point these days.

According to Jamunaha Area Police Office Chief Sub-inspector Madhav Rijal, every day around 200 to 300 Nepalis return home from India through the entry point.

“Learning from the previous years’ incidents of robbery and hassles that home coming Nepalis faced, we alerted security personnel about the need to prevent such incidents this time,” said District Police Office Chief SP Bir Bahadur Oli, adding, “We have also corresponded with Indian security personnel regarding the hassles homecoming Nepalis are put through.”

A big number of people from districts such as Surkhet, Dailekh, Jajarkot, Rukum, Rolpa and Pyuthan in western Nepal go to India for employment. They return home to celebrate Dashain and Tihar.

Salyan’s Bangar Kupinde Municipality’s Ganesh BK has returned home from India to celebrate the festivals. “Though I couldn’t earn a lot, I managed to put by at least the amount needed to celebrate the festivals. I’m now back home with the amount I have saved all these months and clothes for my family,” he said.