Amid the ongoing unrest and political developments in Bangladesh, the Nepal government has heightened security vigilance at its border with India to prevent the potential infiltration of citizens from third countries.

The Ministry of Home Affairs instructed security personnel to adopt heightened alertness to prevent unauthorised entry through international border areas.

DIG Kumar Neupane, spokesperson of the Armed Police Force (APF), informed that the Ministry directed the security personnel deployed for border security to take necessary measures to prevent such occurrences.

“All units connected to the border areas have been issued circulars to closely monitor and take precautionary measures against potential illegal entries and activities from third countries,” he said.

It is relatively easier for Bangladeshi nationals to enter Nepal via India through various districts in the Koshi Province.

Many nationals from the third countries had entered Nepal via India and sought shelter as ‘refugees’ here.

Earlier, groups of Rohingyas illegally entered Nepal via the Mechi Bridge and other entry points, eventually reaching Kathmandu after the coup in Myanmar. Similarly, following the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, some Afghans entered Nepal as ‘refugees’ via India.

Frail administration, weak regulation and security measures at the border, combined with open border policies between India and Nepal, had allowed illegal entries of Rohingyas from Myanmar and Afghani nationals into Nepal.

Following violent unrest in the country over the issues of reservation, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled to India.

Considering the risk of individuals from Bangladesh entering other countries due to the conflict between Hasina supporters and protestors, the government has taken steps to prevent illegal infiltrations.

“There is no restriction on lawful movement,” DIG Neupane said. “However, given the recent developments in Bangladesh, we are closely monitoring the risk of unauthorised entries into Nepal and directives have been issued to ensure that border security measures are not compromised.”

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is approximately 500 km away from Jhapa, an eastern district of Nepal. Various districts of Nepal’s six provinces share open borders with India.

In the meantime, the Nepali Embassy in Dhaka has issued an advisory for Nepalis staying in Bangladesh regarding their safety amid the ongoing unrest there.