Nepal, India to increase border security ahead of polls

Officials from Nepal and India have agreed to intensify vigilance along the 1,850-km porous border between the two countries to keep criminal elements at bay in view of the parliamentary elections to be held in India April-May.

At a meeting organized Monday by the district magistrate of Siddarthanagar in Uttar Pradesh state of India, the two sides also signed an eight-point agreement to enhance security along the border to ensure it was peaceful during the upcoming elections.

Besides heightening security along the border, the two sides have also agreed to come down with a heavy hand on smuggling across various entry points, and ensure thorough checking of vehicles, drug smuggling and human trafficking, among others, Nepali officials said.

The 1,850-km-long Nepal-India border, which allow unhindered cross-border movement to citizens from both sides, is considered vulnerable in terms of security, smuggling of various kinds of goods and presence of anti-social elements.

"We have agreed to curb human trafficking, and activities of armed outfits active in bordering areas, among others. And we have also decided to share real-time information in this respect to enable immediate action," said Rabindra Sharma, senior superintendent of police (SSP) of Nepal Police in Kapilvastu district.

Ahead of the Indian elections, anti-social elements from both sides are reportedly being used by political parties causing headache for security agencies in their effort to maintain peace and tranquility during the polls.

The two sides also agreed not to enter with weapons in each other's land, and will prohibit selling of banned drugs.

The two sides will also keep on record names of Indian nationals who have obtained Nepali citizenship.

(Anil Giri can be contacted at girianil@gmail.com)