At least 14 people were killed and dozens injured on Monday as violent protests by youths rocked the Nepalese capital and certain other areas over the government's decision to ban social media sites, officials said
Demonstrators weild stones and sticks as they clash with riot police personnel during a protest outside the Parliament in Kathmandu. Pic/AFP
Authorities have issued an alert along the India-Nepal border in light of the ongoing protests in Nepal, top sources confirmed to the ANI on Monday.
India’s border security force, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), has heightened its vigilance and is closely monitoring developments to prevent any spillover of unrest into Indian territory.
At least 14 people were killed and dozens injured on Monday as violent protests by youths rocked the Nepalese capital and certain other areas over the government's decision to ban social media sites, prompting authorities to deploy the army in Kathmandu to control the situation, officials said.
“An alert has been issued on the India-Nepal border, considering the protests in Nepal. The SSB is keeping a close watch on the situation,” officials told ANI.
They stated that the alert is "preventive in nature" and the situation currently remains under control.
According to sources, there has been adequate deployment at key locations along the border, with stringent checks implemented at several border outposts. Coordination with local administration has also been enhanced to ensure smooth movement of people while maintaining security.
The open border between India and Nepal stretches over 1,751 kilometres, spanning Indian states such as Uttarakhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Sikkim. While this facilitates close socio-economic and cultural ties, it also necessitates heightened vigilance during periods of political unrest in Nepal.
In the past, similar alerts were issued during events such as the 2015 Madhesi protests, which significantly impacted trade and cross-border movement.
The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), one of India’s Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), comprising over 90,000 personnel, continues to maintain strict surveillance. Reports are being regularly sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). In addition to its border-guarding role, the SSB is also deployed in counter-insurgency and internal security operations when necessary, according to the ANI.
The alert comes in response to a massive protest in Nepal led by thousands of young demonstrators who stormed the Parliament complex on Monday. The protests were sparked by the Nepal government’s decision to block access to major social media platforms, including Facebook, citing concerns over the spread of fake news, hate speech, and cyber fraud.
The government claimed that many of these platforms were being used under fake identities to incite unrest and commit online offences. However, the move has been widely criticised as an attempt to suppress free speech and divert attention from government corruption.
(with ANI inputs)
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