Sashastra Seema Bal steps up vigil along Indo-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh

MAHARAJGANJ: Border guarding force Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and intelligence agencies will screen Nepalese people crossing the porous Indo-Nepal border area in Mahrajganj district of Uttar Pradesh.

Besides, religious places located along the border will be scanned to ensure that they are not used by Pakistani intelligence agencies, like the ISI, for ulterior motives, a senior SSB official said.

"Terrorist organisations after training the youths may send them across the border through Nepal in a bid to create discord in our country," Assistant Commandant SSB Mithul Kumar said.

SSB guards the 560-km Indo-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh.

"A strict vigil has to be maintained and the youths should be allowed into the country only after thorough checking," he told PTI here.

Kumar said certain groups were using religious places in the region as hideouts.

He said there were reports that a youth force of Maoists has been constituted in Nepal and they may enter India to create disturbance.

SSB has intensified vigilance along the border to stop infiltration occurring mainly at night and personnel have been asked to remain alert round the clock, he said.

Kumar said a dog squad trained in detecting narcotics and arms has also been deployed. Besides, the SSB has installed closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras on routes leading to Nepal, he added.