Motihari: The India-Nepal international border will be completely sealed from March 2 to March 5 in view of the general election in Nepal. During this period, only ambulances and emergency services will be allowed to cross. To strengthen security, personnel from India and Nepal will conduct joint patrols and monitor the bordering areas through CCTV cameras.Bhola Dahal, chief district officer (CDO) of Parsa, said in view of the elections on March 5 and the upcoming Holi festival on March 4, there will be a complete ban on the operation of liquor shops and on illegal smuggling activities in the bordering areas. The DMs and SPs of East and West Champaran districts, along with the CDOs and SPs of Parsa and Bara districts of Nepal, held discussions last week at Birgunj under Parsa district of Nepal regarding security challenges along the India-Nepal border and the House of Representatives election in Nepal.The high-level meeting was attended by senior administrative and security officials from both Nepal and India, who took several key decisions concerning border management. The primary focus of the meeting was to ensure a fear-free and peaceful general election.East Champaran DM Saurabh Jorwal took serious note of recent cases of illegal immigration by citizens of countries such as Bangladesh, China, the US, Canada and Korea. The matter was discussed in detail during the meeting. Officials expressed concern over illegal infiltration by third-country nationals through the porous border.The officials resolved to strengthen the exchange of information between the two sides to check the smuggling of fake currency notes, arms trafficking and cybercrime. The Nepali officials assured the Champaran administration that all liquor shops along the border would remain closed on Holi.
