Infiltration attempts by prisoners who escaped from jails during violent protests in Nepal have been foiled at the India-Nepal border. SSB apprehended 35 prisoners in UP, Bihar, and Bengal. Situation remains tense in Nepal; India has increased border surveillance.
India-Nepal Border: The ongoing Gen-Z led protests and violent demonstrations in Nepal in recent days have severely impacted the law and order situation across the country. During these protests, security at jails in 77 districts of Nepal was compromised, leading to the escape of thousands of prisoners. Meanwhile, India has attempted to control the situation by enhancing border security.
SSB Apprehends Prisoners Crossing the Border
The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has apprehended 35 prisoners who escaped from Nepalese jails in operations conducted in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. All these prisoners were attempting to enter India without valid documentation. SSB officials stated that the number of apprehended prisoners is likely to increase as surveillance and patrolling along the border have been continuously intensified.
Location of Operations
According to SSB operations, 22 prisoners were apprehended in Uttar Pradesh, 10 in Bihar, and three in West Bengal. On Wednesday, five more prisoners were caught in the Siddharthnagar district of Uttar Pradesh while attempting to cross the border. All apprehended prisoners have been handed over to the local police, and their identities and crimes are being investigated.
Situation in Nepal
Gen-Z protests and violent demonstrations continue in Nepal. Protesters have seized several police stations in various locations and aided in the escape of prisoners from jails. The Nepal Army has been deployed around jails and sensitive areas, but the situation remains tense. A curfew and increased restrictions have been imposed in Nepal, but the sheer number of escaped prisoners makes their recapture a challenge.
Importance of Security for India
Due to the porous 1,751-kilometer-long India-Nepal border, escaped criminals from Nepal may attempt to enter India. Enhanced SSB vigilance and 24-hour monitoring on the borders of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Sikkim have played a crucial role in preventing these criminals from entering India. Through intelligence information and vigilant patrolling, the SSB has promptly apprehended those attempting to cross the border.
Profile of Prisoners
According to SSB officials, the apprehended prisoners had escaped from Nepalese jails. Some of them were also involved in violent incidents and protests. The SSB and local police are investigating the criminal records of these prisoners. The protests in Nepal and the weakened security at jails provided an opportunity for these criminals to escape, but India's vigilance has thwarted their plans.
India-Nepal Cooperation
Amidst the deteriorating situation in Nepal, India has demonstrated cooperation between the two countries by enhancing its border security and patrolling. The SSB's actions underscore that India has taken its responsibility for border control and security with utmost seriousness in the turbulent conditions of Nepal.
