Amid the ongoing violent protests in Nepal, security was tightened and a high alert was put in place by India on its border with the neighbouring Himalayan country. As the situation worsened in the country,
Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday.
Oli’s resignation came after two days of violence as protests against a since-revoked social media ban expanded to demand accountability for corruption.
According to news agency ANI, paramilitary forces and police were on patrol at Panitanki in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Trucks were stranded as trade was partially halted amid the tensions.
Area superintendent of police (SP) Praveen Parkash said, “A police post has been set up here with deployment of force. We are on alert mode and monitoring the situation. There’s no information about anyone being stuck.”
Additionally, similar alerts were also placed in Uttar Pradesh and other regions of India that border Nepal.
The foreign ministry had earlier on Tuesday advised Indian nationals in Nepal to exercise caution. The ministry also condoled the lives lost in the Nepal protests.
“As a close friend and neighbour, we hope that all concerned will excercise restraint and address any issues through peaceful means and dialogue. We have also taken note that authorities have imposed curfew in Kathmandu and several other cities of Nepal. Indian nationals in Nepal are advised to exercise caution and adhere to the steps and guidelines issued by the Nepali authorities,” the Indian ministry statement read.
Flights to and from India were among those cancelled as violent enveloped Kathmandu.
India’s border guarding force, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), has also intensified its vigil to along the border areas. The officials emphasised that adequate deployment is in place, and stricter checks have been implemented at several outposts.
The India-Nepal border over 1,751 km across states including Uttarakhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Sikkim, allows unrestricted movement of citizens of both countries.
