1 Indian dead in Nepal border police’s firing

New Delhi: One Indian national was killed and two others were injured when Nepal’s Armed Police Force (APF), which guards the country’s open border with India, opened fire on a group following an altercation inside its territory near the border in Sitamarhi (Bihar), security and government officials said .

The incident does not seem to be linked to the recent friction between India and Nepal over the latter redrawing its map to claim territory that India has always claimed.

One official, who asked not to be named, said this is third such incident in the last month on the border when Nepal’s police force has fired to disperse people, particularly after India started easing its nationwide lockdown – first on May 17 and then completely on June 1.

Due to coronavirus, free movement of people between India had Nepal stopped, with Nepal APF increasing the number of posts to stop Indians from entering its territory. Only those on a list shared by local administrations from both sides were allowed to travel to and fro. With India easing its lockdown, Indians in border villages have been trying to go across the border and the APF has been intervening to stop them.

Another official who asked not to be named said that Vikesh Yadav (22), who was killed in firing on Friday near LalbandiJanki Nagar border, and the two injured Uday Thakur (24) and Umesh Ram (18) , were not in the list shared by the local administrations. They were accompanied by others from their village and stones were thrown at the APF, the second official added.

Kumar Rajesh Chandra , Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), India’s force on the border, explained that the incident took place around 8.40 am in Nepalese territory when members of a family, some of whom reside in Nepal (and some in India) were meeting near the border. “The Nepal APF said there is lockdown in Nepal till June 14 , leading to some altercation. Nepal APF has said villagers became aggressive and they had to open 15 rounds of fire. This is being investigated.”

Chandra added that the SSB has submitted preliminary findings to the ministry of home affairs. Ministry of external affairs has not commented on the incident.