INDO-NEPAL BORDER TO BE SEALED TILL NOV 20 DUE TO POLLS

The Indo-Nepal border will be sealed for 72 hours from Thursday midnight ahead of general elections in the neighbouring country which is scheduled to be held on November 20, police said on Thursday.

According to Bettiah’s superintendent of police (SP) Upendra Nath Verma, a decision in this regard was taken at a highlevel meeting between officials of the two countries which was held recently.

“As per decision, the border will remain sealed for 72 hours from November 17 till November 20 midnight,” the SP said.

Other officials said that emergency services, including ambulances, water tankers, milk tankers, fire engines etc have been kept out of purview, while the movement of the vehicles will remain suspended.

The two districts of East and West Champaran share over 200 kilometers ranging from Jhandu Ghat (near Uttar Pradesh border) in West Champaran to Jamuniya (East Champaran), guarded by four battalions of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). “We are keeping a close tab over border activities and patrolling has been intensified,” said Dr Kumar Ashish, SP, East Champaran.