Sashastra Seema Bal, West Bengal Police step up vigil along border

The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the West Bengal police have stepped up vigil along the Nepal-India border in north Bengal's Panitanki to stop any infiltration attempt. Long queues of people were seen in Panitanki since morning, with Indians returning from Nepal. Meanwhile, the SSB has reportedly apprehended at least 30 Nepalese prisoners at multiple locations in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Bengal, adjoining the Himalayan nation.

A two-layered security checking system - first, SSB and then the state police - have been put in place to beef up security. They have set up kiosks in Panitanki, where documents are being checked, ahead of the entry of Indian or Nepalese citizens.

A senior West Bengal police official said that naka checking has been increased and thorough checking is underway to stop the entry of anti-social elements.


"Some Nepalese citizens were queuing up to enter India on Thursday. We are checking the documents and seeking the reason for entry before allowing them," another police official said.

Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose, after visiting the border areas, left for New Delhi and is likely to submit his report to the Centre, sources in Raj Bhawan said.