Nepal 'shifting' blame for its atrocities to SSB: India

India today hit out at Nepal for "shifting" blame of atrocities inside its "volatile" Sunsari district to Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) after Kathmandu alleged that the Indian force shot four Nepalese on charges of smuggling chemical fertilisers.

"Armed Police Force, Nepal is trying to shift blame for its atrocities inside the volatile and affected Sunsari district to SSB and India. SSB continues to facilitate while also maintaining order and security at the border," an official source said here.

The sharp reaction came after Nepalese officials alleged that the men -residents of the border area in Sunsari district -were shot by the SSB on charges of smuggling chemical fertilisers from India this morning. However, the injured said they were burning wood in the border village to keep themselves warm, when the firing occurred.

Giving its side of the incident, India also asserted that an SSB patrol team of 1 ASI, 1 HC, 3 CTs came across 4/5 smugglers from Nepal at 0520 today at Sunsari border.

"When challenged, they called other nearby villagers and a mob of about 25 persons attacked the patrol team. They tried to drag Head Constable Ram Sevak to Nepal and hit him with a lathi which injured his thumb possible fracture. Seeing the threat, one constable fired 6 rounds in the air from his INSAS rifle due to which the crowd ran away.

"Later, at about 0730, a Nepalese Inspector Jagah Bahadur Dulal from APF from Bhantabari Post, Sunsari came to SSB BOP Shaileshpur and informed that 3 Nepalese persons sustained bullet injuries and are admitted in BP Koirala hospital in Dharan," the source said here.

India also reiterated that the government continues to facilitate supplies to Nepal despite challenges.