Minors forbid to cross border

By Jyoti Panthi, Bardiya, Apr.1: Minors have been banned from crossing the border from Dhanaura, Madhuban municipality -3 in Bardiya district.

Minors have been banned from crossing the border due to the recent increase in drug trafficking from India and the potential for cross-border human trafficking.

Narayan Malla, ward chair of Madhuban Municipality-3said that children under the age of 16 have been banned from going to the cross-border market alone as they can fall into drug addiction if they cross border.

Ward Chair Malla said that an all-party meeting organized by the Nepal Police's Dhanaura Checkpost decided to stop all children under the age of 16 traveling alone. However, they are allowed to travel with their parents.

Locals have speculated that many youths are found trpped into addictions after from rteurning Bathania Bazaar in India where en route via Dhanura of Orali Bazar.

Kedar Khanal, Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office, Bardiya, said that a comprehensive decision has been taken to prevent children under the age of 16 from crossing the border alone towards India to prevent the problem of addiction and trafficking.

Hundreds of people still visit the market from Dhanaura to the Indian border every day to buy goods.