Ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled in Nepal on March 5, India and Nepal have agreed to close their border checkposts for 72 hours to ensure smooth and secure polling. The decision aims to prevent infiltration and maintain law and order during the election period.
The agreement was reached during the 16th Deputy Inspector General (DIG)-level coordination meeting between the Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) and India’s Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), held in Biratnagar of Morang district. Officials from both sides agreed to strengthen border control measures to stop any activities that could disrupt the elections.
According to APF spokesperson DIG Bishnu Prasad Bhatt, Nepal had requested the closure of border checkposts two days before the elections, and the Indian side accepted the proposal. As per the agreement, the checkposts will remain closed for three days, including the election day. He added that closing border points during elections is a long-standing practice between the two neighboring countries.
Security officials noted that heavy deployment of forces at polling stations makes it essential to restrict cross-border movement of unwanted groups. During the meeting, both sides also discussed measures to curb illegal entry of citizens, human trafficking, circulation of fake currency, smuggling of arms and ammunition, and drug trafficking.
The two sides further deliberated on safeguarding border pillars, facilitating regulated movement of travelers, conducting joint patrols, disaster relief exercises, and organizing joint sports activities. They also agreed to identify sensitive border locations, assess potential security risks, monitor refugee and migrant movements, and carry out regular inspections at different levels to maintain border security during the election period.
