The government has increased its security presence in Susta, a Nepali settlement located across the Narayani river along the border with India in Nawalparasi West. The move has prompted queries from Indian authorities, officials said.

On July 3, the Ministry of Home Affairs directed the District Administration Office in Nawalparasi to deploy additional security personnel in Susta and address the concerns of local residents. Following the directive, the Armed Police Force (APF) troop strength in the area under the command of an APF inspector was increased from 25 to 40.

Three days later, on July 6, a Nepali Army team led by Major General Yam Bahadur Adhikari visited the area. On Sunday, July 12, APF Additional Inspector General Anjani Pokharel also carried out an on-site inspection.

The increased security presence comes while the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation is building an embankment in Susta. Six weeks ago, personnel from India’s Border Security Force (BSF) had entered Nepali territory and stopped construction work on the eastern side of the project site.

Following the security reinforcement, Indian authorities sought clarification from Kathmandu on the increased deployment, officials confirmed. New Delhi’s concern was mainly triggered by the visit of senior Nepal Army officers in plain clothes.

“India has raised queries with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nepali Army on the purpose of General Yam Bahadur Adhikari’s visit to Susta,” a foreign ministry official said. “We consulted the army, which informed us that the team had visited the area to assess monsoon and disaster preparedness. We have conveyed the same response to India.”

A local security official said BSF personnel questioned the plain-clothes army team immediately after their arrival in Susta.

“The Indian security forces asked who they were and what their purpose was. We were also unaware that a military team was visiting. We came to know about it only after the [Nepali Army] soldiers informed us following their encounter with the BSF,” the district security official said.

During the visit, the military team interacted with local residents to understand the situation along the border. Nepali Army spokesperson Brigadier General Rajaram Basnet said the team likely visited Susta as part of a nationwide assessment of possible monsoon-induced disasters and risk conditions.

“The team had gone out to inspect monsoon and disaster risks,” Basnet said. “They may have visited the area during that deployment. There was no objective other than assessing monsoon risks and identifying mitigation measures to protect the population. There is no conflict in Susta; the focus is solely on disaster risk reduction.”

Nawalparasi district administration also described the military visit as informal.

The APF deployment was increased from 25 to 40 personnel after the BSF disrupted the embankment construction work six weeks ago. Meanwhile, local residents have been mounting pressure on the government to strengthen security and address their long-standing grievances.

Two weeks ago, a group of 52 residents led by Munna Khan, a leader of the Save Susta Movement, staged a sit-in at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu. The delegation met Home Minister Sudan Gurung, complaining of alleged high-handedness by Indian security forces and demanding the establishment of an army-led security post in Susta.

Following the meeting, the Home Ministry issued a two-point directive to the district administration on July 3. The first point instructed authorities to deploy additional security personnel to sensitive areas of Susta. The second addressed complaints regarding residents lacking citizenship certificates and ordered the preparation of a profile of individuals eligible for citizenship.

The local ward office has since begun collecting data to facilitate the issuance of citizenship certificates to eligible residents.

“The peaceful protest staged by Susta residents at Maitighar Mandala has, in a way, helped us,” said Deepak Nepal, chief district officer of West Nawalparasi. “With the government taking notice, the issue has gained national priority, and I am facilitating the process accordingly.”

The delegation that travelled to Kathmandu had initially sought a meeting with Prime Minister Balendra Shah. The prime minister later instructed Home Minister Gurung to meet the residents.

“The home minister called us in at the prime minister’s direction,” said Adam Khan, acting chairman of the Save Susta Movement. “Since our meetings in Kathmandu, the government’s attention towards Susta has increased significantly.”