In order to prevent escaped prisoners from Nepal from entering India, the intelligence and security measures have been increased along the India-Nepal border. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), which guards India's 1,751-km-long border with Nepal, has strengthened checks at all entry points, and special focus is being laid on "verifying identity cards" of individuals crossing into India, as jail escapees from Nepal are unlikely to carry valid documents.
"All the 26 mutual trade routes, 15 traffic routes, six integrated check-posts, and 11 border check posts are on high alert”.
Not only this, but efforts are also being taken by SSB's intelligence wing to monitor border villages to prevent infiltration and curb the spread of misinformation.
SSB personnel apprehended five prisoners who had escaped from a jail in Nepal and were attempting to cross into India, and they failed to show any of the valid identity proofs. The prisoners were caught along the India-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh's Siddharthnagar district while attempting to infiltrate into Indian territory. The escapees were intercepted by SSB personnel during a check at the border outpost and were immediately taken into custody, and later on, were handed over to the local police for further investigation.
"During initial inquiry, it was found that they were among those prisoners who escaped from Nepal jail yesterday," the official said, requesting anonymity.
At present, the situation of the border seems to be under control, but precautionary measures have been stepped up to deal with any potential crisis. In a show of presence, the SSB has conducted multiple flag marches in districts such as Maharajganj, Sitamarhi, Raxaul, and Supaul.
"The force's Cyber Wing, set up in 2021, is also monitoring social media platforms to counter fake news being spread by miscreants."
Senior SSB officers, including those at the DIG level, are visiting sensitive stretches of the border as part of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for heightened security situations.
"From September 6, we had already tightened security along the border. Now, strict vigil is in place," an official said, clarifying that while the border has not been sealed, a "check-and-go" procedure is being implemented to prevent infiltration.
As Nepal continues to witness unrest and curfew in certain areas, officials on the border said that the country's Armed Police Force has also restricted the movement of its citizens into India. A large number of inmates escaped the Dillibazar jail in Nepal's Kathmandu amid chaos during the ongoing anti-corruption protests.
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