By Shiva Shankar Mishra
Kalaiya, July 30: The border areas are intensely secured by the security agencies, restricting the cross-border movement, until the sun sets. But a worrying number of individuals have been entering Nepal at night due to the open border.
The unauthorised entry of individuals from India, which has recorded more than 1.5 million COVID-19 cases, has increased fear among the Nepali nationals living in the border areas.
“When it gets dark, numerous persons enter Nepal through the open border. As the security is light during the night, people come in large number,” said Ramayan Pandit, a local nearby the border area at Ward 10 of Kalaiya Sub-metropolitan City.
According to another local Jay Prasad Kushwaha from Simraungadh Municipality, the locals are worried with individuals entering through the open border at night.
When the locals inform the law enforcement agencies regarding the new comers, they either hide or flee their home to escape from being caught.
The problem is being faced not only by locals of Bara but by most communities nearby the open border.
“When more people enter without authorization and health screening, the risk of COVID-19 transmission increases,” said Dr. Madan Kumar Upadhyay, medical superintendent at Narayani Hospital.
Meanwhile, authorities responsible to ensure border security expressed willingness to enhance surveillance along the border by increasing outposts and manpower.
“We have added 17 temporary outposts along the border where there were only seven previously. Similarly, around 400 officers are deployed in the border areas. However, open border has been a challenge,” said Superintendent of Armed Police Force Digbijay Subedi of No. 12 battalion of APF at Bara.