New Delhi: India on Thursday decided to tighten security along its porous border with Nepal to check movement of Jehadi elements, smuggling of fake Indian currency notes and narcotics, amidst the ongoing blockade of trade points by Madhesis.
At a high-level meeting, Home Minister Rajnath Singh took stock of the situation along the 1,751-km long Indo-Nepal border and had a detailed briefing on the existing security infrastructure.
Security along the Nepal border will be tightened besides the security infrastructure and intelligence network in the next six months, official sources said.
The Home Ministry has been repeatedly getting reports that anti-India activities like movement of Jehadi elements smuggling of fake Indian currency notes, narcotics often take place along this border.
India may set up multi-layer security rings within 15 kilometres on border areas in Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim.
Of the 1,751 km long border, 263 km falls in Uttarakhand, 560 km in Uttar Pradesh, 729 km in Bihar, 100 km in West Bengal and 99 km in Sikkim. Top security officials, including from Sashastra Seema Bal, which guards the international border, were present in the meeting.
The supply of essential goods to Nepal have been squeezed following violent agitation in southern plains by Madhesi parties over the newly-promulgated Constitution. More than 40 people have died in clashes between police and the protesters.
The Madhesis - Indian-origin inhabitants of the southern plains - and Tharu ethnic groups are protesting for more representation in the Constitution. They also see the model to split Nepal into seven federal provinces as flawed and discriminatory to their rights.
Nepal has alleged that India has imposed an "economic blockade" on the country following the announcement of its Constitution. But India sees no merit in Nepal's complaints that it was being "choked" and deprived of essential supplies.
One of the main transit point at Birgunj bordering the Indian city of Raxaul has been blocked for over two weeks. Other check-points at Bhairahawa-Sunauli and Biratnagar-Jogani, however, have been partially opened.
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