The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has so far caught 67 prisoners, including a woman, when they were trying to enter India through various posts along the Indo-Nepal border after fleeing various jails in Nepal amidst the ongoing unrest in the Himalayan nation.
The female prisoner has been identified as Anjila Khatoon, who was arrested from West Bengal. She is the first female prisoner caught by SSB personnel.
Officials told ANI that all the prisoners were caught on various checkposts on the Indo-Nepal border connecting the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.
According to officials, these prisoners were detained when both of them failed to show any valid identity card to SSB personnel posted on the border of the friendly countries.
The number may increase due to continuation of tough monitoring at all limit entry points. Officials said the detainees have been handed over to the police for further investigation and legal action.
According to officials, these arrests have been made under the increased vigilance of SSB after reports of large -scale jail breaking in Nepal, where many prisoners had recently escaped during unrest.
The crisis began after violent protests in many towns of Nepal, resulting in attacks on arson, sabotage and reform homes. Taking advantage of this turmoil, thousands of prisoners managed to escape from jails.
In response, India’s Border Security Force, SSB has increased the surveillance, is checking strict identity and monitoring the sensitive parts of the open border. The paramilitary force has deployed additional personnel to ensure that no fugitive prisoner can infiltrate Indian territory.
Officials said that some escapes tried to disguise the citizens who crossed the border for work or business, but due to lack of valid identity cards, their identity was revealed. An official on the border said, “These precautionary measures are to ensure that no run -in prisoner can misuse the open border system between the two countries.”
The 1,751 km long Indo-Nepal border, which is working under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim, is responsible for the protection of the Indo-Nepal border. This force is investigating strict identity, patrolling and gathering intelligence information to find out those who escape from jail.
Thousands of prisoners were released from jails in all 77 districts during anti -government violent demonstrations in Nepal, due to which Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli had to resign on Tuesday, which led to a serious law and order situation in the districts, after which the Nepal army had to ban and then impose curfew.
SSB is cautious since the unrest spread after the protests led by ‘Jane-Z’ in Nepal.
The Indo-Nepal border allows visa-free movement for citizens of both countries. The situation in Nepal still remains tense, so Indian security agencies are on high alert.
