(Image source from: Ndtv.com)
India has increased security at its border with Nepal due to violent protests led by young people opposing a social media ban and fighting against corruption in the neighboring Himalayan nation, where Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stepped down due to public pressure. State police teams are now collaborating with the border security unit, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), to stop any disturbances from spreading into India. An official stated, "We have issued an alert on the India-Nepal border due to the unrest in Nepal. Sashastra Seema Bal is closely monitoring the situation." The border between India and Nepal stretches for 1,751 kilometers, crossing through states like Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Sikkim, and West Bengal, which previously allowed citizens and goods to move freely due to the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship. However, movement across the border is now limited due to heightened security. At the Gauriphanta border in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri district, NDTV discovered that security forces were preventing Nepali citizens from entering India, but Indian citizens residing in nearby countries were permitted to return home. Likewise, Nepal is also blocking Indian citizens from entering, while allowing Nepali citizens who are working or traveling in India to come back.
Images from the border town of Panitanki in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district revealed that trucks carrying goods were stuck because trade was partly stopped due to the current tensions. Praveen Parkash, the area superintendent of police, mentioned, "A police post has been established here with security forces. We are on high alert and watching the situation closely." Similar alerts were issued in other parts of India, including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Bihar, which border Nepal. On Tuesday, the foreign ministry advised Indian citizens to be careful and postpone any non-essential travel to Nepal while expressing sorrow for the lives lost in the mob violence. The statement said, "As a close friend and neighbor, we hope everyone involved will show restraint and resolve any problems peacefully through dialogue. We are aware that a curfew has been imposed in Kathmandu and other cities in Nepal. Indian citizens in Nepal are encouraged to stay cautious and follow the guidelines provided by Nepali authorities."
At the same time, flights between the two countries have been halted since many airports in Nepal are still shut down. Young people in Nepal, who are good with technology but struggling due to lack of jobs and few chances, reached a limit this week as their frustrations increased from government instability, dishonesty, and slow growth in the economy of the 30 million people in the Himalayan region. This frustration turned into protests on Monday, sparked by a government restriction on social media that was later lifted, resulting in the deaths of at least 19 individuals as police tried to suppress the demonstrations. Additionally, three police officers lost their lives during the protests. The resignation of 73-year-old Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli did not calm the protesters, who went on to set fire to the parliament and several other government and political party buildings. On Wednesday, the Nepal Army enforced restrictions across the nation, accompanied by a curfew, to prevent any potential violence disguised as protests. The capital city, Kathmandu, along with other large cities, appeared empty as army forces spread throughout the country.
The army indicated that these actions were necessary to prevent possible acts of theft, arson, and other harmful actions disguised as protests.
