Coordination meeting of Nepal-India security officials concludes

By Siraj Khan,Nepalgunj, Apr. 3: A coordination meeting of the security officials of various districts of Nepal and India has concluded at the integrated check post (ICP) constructed in Nepalgunj.

Chief District Officer of Banke Shrawan Kumar Pokhrel said that the coordination meeting was organised to discuss the necessary steps to be taken as well as to analyse the security situation in the borders of both countries for the peaceful completion of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in India.

He said that on behalf of Nepal, Banke Police Chief and SP Subas Chandra Bohora, Armed Police Superintendent Bimal Dangi and Dang Police Chief and SP Ram Bahadur GC participated in the meeting while security officials including CDOs of Bardiya, Dang, Kailali and Kanchanpur joined the meeting virtually.

Similarly, DIG Amarendra Pratap Singh of Devipatan Mandal of Gonda District, DIG JD Bashishtha of Uttar Pradesh, DM Monika Rani of Bahraich, SP Brinda Shukla along with DMs and SPs of Lakhimpur, Balarampur and Shravasti districts of India participated in the meeting from the Indian side.

Likewise, the ADG of Gorakhpur Zone Dr. KS Pratap Kumar, the DIG of Lucknow Zone, the DIG of Pilibhit Zone and the DMs and SPs of various districts took part in the meeting virtually.

In the meeting, Banke's CDO Pokhrel said that it was decided to manage the security challenges that may arise from the border areas of both countries through joint security strategies to conduct the Lok Sabha elections in India in a phase-wise manner from April in a fear-free environment.

"Both sides have agreed that from 72 hours before the voting, joint checks and patrols will be increased at the border of both countries, control of suspicious activities that may occur in the border area, installation of CCTV cameras in sensitive border areas, regular meetings between the security units of both sides and setting up of a communication mechanism to exchange information will be carried out," said Pokhrel. 

It was agreed in the meeting to increase the presence of security personnel on polling day in the integrated settlements divided by the No Man's Land area.

CDO Pokhrel said that the authorities of both countries also agreed to share details of suspected border criminals and work together to control trans-border crimes such as smuggling of counterfeit currency, narcotic drugs and illegal weapons.

In the meeting, Nepali security officials promised to address the security concerns raised by the Indian side according to the prevailing laws and past practices.