By Siraj Khan, Nepalgunj, June 21: As many as 57,000 people have entered Nepal through Jamunaha border point of Nepalgunj after the nationwide lockdown was imposed from March 24 to curb COVID-19 spread.

Likewise, around 25,876 people have returned to India from the same border point after the implementation of lockdown, informed Area Police Office, Jamunaha, located at Nepal-India border.

Out of the India-returnees, many were from Karnali State and State 5 who had gone to various cities of India for employment.

Bishnu Giri, Chief of Area Police Office, Jamuhana said, “In the time span from March 24 to June 20, 57,459 people have entered Nepal from Jamunaha border point.”

Around 43,838 people had entered Nepal in May itself, which was the highest number of arrivals in a month’s span, said Giri.

According to the Jamunaha Police, 1,714 people have arrived Nepal from June 15-20. The arrival has seemingly decreased now as only around 300 people cross the border daily, added Giri.

Because of shutdown of industries and hotels in India, many Nepali started to return back to their country in the months of April and May, which created a situation of awash in border points, making it difficult to send the entrants to their respective address.

As many COVID-19 positive cases were detected in people returning from India, the safe transfer of people directly to their municipalities and rural- municipalities was initiated.  

By establishing Jamunaha holding center, Nepali migrant workers returning from India are safely being sent to their respective places.

Ram Bahadur Kurumwang, Chief District Officer of Banke, said that the holding center established in Kohalpur had come into operation from Sunday.

According to Kurumwang, people returning to Eastern Butwal, Western Dhangadhi and Southern Karnali would be managed in Kohalpur holding center.