Bhairahawa, September 23
Indian border security officials have pledged not to mistreat Nepali nationals bound for home for festivals like Dashain, Tihar and Chhath this time. Nepali and Indian border security authorities have also pledged to work together for controlling unwanted activities along the border.
It should be noted that Nepali nationals often get looted and suffer different kinds of mistreatment, both at the hands of Indian security personnel and civilians, while entering Nepal from bordering territories.
In a bid to control such activities, Rupandehi police had organised a meeting on Friday with Indian police officials at Belahiya.
At the programme, Shanta Kumar Sharma, chair, Nepal-India Friendship Society, said rickshaw-pullers collect exorbitant fares from Nepali people on the way home for festivals, while Indian police and customs officials also fleece them.
Raj Prakash Singh, chief of Sunauli police post, conceded that Indian police personnel in the past, used to collect money from Nepali nationals unnecessarily. This time, we will not let this happen, he said.
Rajesh Mishra, inspector at Sunauli customs, said they have directed police personnel and customs officials not to give undue trouble to anyone. He promised swift action against those found at fault.
Bel Bahadur Pandey, DSP at Rupandehi district police office, said the help desk at Belahiya will keep a written record of troubles that people faced while moving across the border. Based on those accounts, we will initiate action against those at fault, he informed.
Inspector Abhaya Bikram Shah, chief of Belahiya area police office, said it is wrong on the part of police personnel to fleece people.
Tularam Pandey, inspector at Armed Police Force’s Battalion at Danda, said APF will help people entering Nepal from India and those visiting bordering areas for shopping.
