NEPALGUNJ: The Nepal-India border at Banke and Bardiya districts was closed today after the Supreme Court of India delivered a historic judgment on the Ayodhya land dispute.

The border has been closed for various security reasons.

According to Jamunaha-based Area Police Office (APO), the border has been closed since Saturday morning at the request of Indian authorities. The information on when the border might re-open isn't available yet but if peace continues, the border will open in the evening, asserted Sub-inspector Madhav Rijal at the APO.

Chief District Officer of Banke, Kumar Bahadur Khadka, said there has been no formal notice regarding the closure of the border. Indian Police have stated that the border was sealed for security reasons.

The Indian side has only allowed ambulances to enter its territory during the closure. Many Nepalis, who arrived at the border after the closure, have been stranded for being stopped from entering India at Banke and Bardiya region.

Indian Supreme Court, today, in a historic judgment, passed the Ayodhya verdict in favour of Hindus and also directed that an alternate land be provided to the Muslim group.

Thousands of Hindu devotees, including from Nepal, travel to Ayodhya to worship at the birthplace of Lord Ram every year.

(Translated by Madhavi Marasini)