By Laxman Paudel
Bhairahawa, Jun 1 : The Armed Police Force (APF) has implemented border entry point management at the Belahaiya-Sunauli area by providing safe services to all Nepali returnees.
Since Nepalis faced several troubles while returning home during the first wave of COVID-19, the APF has arranged for its services in the border area this time so that no Nepali national faces any problem. Last year, the returnees were bound to stay unattended for hours, and didn’t receive the desired support from the authorities.
“Every Nepali has a right to feel being at home after returning here. It is possible only with a proper management at the border,” said SP Rajesh Upreti, chief at APF Nepal Battalion HQ Rupandehi No. 27 Battalion.
As per SP Upreti, only major border entry points should be opened and people should be provided proper services which will help check the free entry to Nepal through the open borders. Women, children and men are asked to stay in different lines at Belhaiya. They are then asked to wash their hands and sanitize them. They are also provided with new masks.
The returnees are also asked whether they had something to eat or not and if they are hungry, food is served.
The returnees then pass through health desks where medical personnel examine them and keep records of all. If anyone is found suspicious, their samples are tested.
The APF team has also established a woman desk where women can share their problems freely with female officers.
“Women have problems related with menstruation or pregnancy, among others, which they can’t share with men. Likewise, the women returnees are also asked whether they faced any form of violence or not and take necessary action if they had,” said Head Constable Bandana Gharti.
The people are kept in holding centres where they are allowed to rest as well and provided with drinking water and snacks. APF officers also make the returnees aware of the health safety measures to be followed during the pandemic. At the end, the authorities manage transport for the returnees to reach their home safely.
“There were many complaints last time related with the returnees and the problems they faced due to poor management. This time, we have eliminated this issue because Nepalis don’t deserve it while returning to their country,” said Deputy Inspector General Kishor Pradhan, Brigade Commander at APF, Nepal No. 5 Bindabasini Brigade Headquarters, Rupandehi. Lumbini Province shares 436-km long open border with India. In order to tighten border security, APF has deployed over 3,500 officers in the area.