Nepal-India Border: Army Visits Susta for Disaster Risk Assessment, What Is the Current Situation?
Image source, RSS
Following demonstrations in Kathmandu by local residents of Susta demanding support for border security, citizenship, and land ownership certificates, authorities have started compiling demographic data of the community, officials reported.
Local officials confirmed that the armed police personnel at the Susta border post, which is connected to India and has a history of border disputes, have been increased. At the same time, a team from the Nepal Army has also visited the area for disaster preparedness.
According to Nepali experts, approximately 145 square kilometers of Nepal’s land in Susta have been encroached upon by the Indian side. Recently, an incident was reported where the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) patrolled inside Nepali territory.
In response to this incident, locals from Susta came to Kathmandu to protest. They demanded assistance with border security, citizenship distribution, and land ownership certificates. Local representatives have informed that a process to collect citizenship-related information has begun to address these demands.
Preparation for Monsoon-Related Disaster Response
Nepal Army spokesperson Assistant Rathi Rajaram Basnet stated that since the army teams are conducting site visits across the country for monsoon disaster prevention and management, the Susta area was also included in these visits.
He said, “From east to west Nepal, we are inspecting the preparedness and the ongoing situations regarding monsoon-related disasters through various site visits. Our teams have reached all areas.”
The military officers visited Susta in civilian attire.
According to spokesperson Basnet, findings from the site visits are submitted by the army to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Disaster Management Authority. Considering potential disasters, a BI helicopter has also been deployed in Butwal.
There have been reports that the Indian government has shown interest regarding the visit of Nepali military officers to Susta, although no confirmation has come from their side.
Spokespersons from Nepal’s Foreign and Home Ministries in Kathmandu have also not responded on this matter.
What Is the Security Situation?
After residents of Susta who protested in Kathmandu brought their concerns to the Home Ministry, the ministry instructed local administration on security and citizenship matters.
Prabunath Ahir, chairman of Susta Rural Municipality Ward No. 5, said, “Currently, the security situation is good. Around a week ago, 14 additional security personnel were deployed. However, demands regarding citizenship and land ownership certificates persist. There is also the issue that Nepal and India’s armed border forces should patrol together, not separately.”
Netra Bahadur Karki, spokesperson for the Armed Police Force Nepal, informed that patrols are conducted singly or jointly as needed.
He further said that patrols and monitoring have intensified after the Home Ministry’s attention.
The border outpost in Susta is currently led by an Armed Police Superintendent, but locals have demanded that a higher-level officer command the post.
Spokesperson Karki said no directives have been received from the ministry regarding changes in command structure, so the current team remains in place.
The local Chief District Officer confirmed that security is fully ensured in the area.
Deepakaraj Nepal, Chief District Officer of Nawalparasi West, stated that security forces will be reinforced as needed and the current situation is normal.
Earlier in the month of Saun, locals protested after the Indian Border Security Force halted work on an embankment construction in Susta.
When Prime Minister Balindra Shah informed Parliament that “not only India but Nepal has also encroached on Indian land,” political questions were raised around the same time concerning Susta.
In that context, local people from Susta came to Kathmandu, protested, and subsequently returned.
Data Collection Underway
Prabunath Ahir, chairman of Susta Rural Municipality Ward 5, informed that demographic details of those with and without citizenship documents are being collected in coordination with the district administration.
He explained, “Data such as number of households, population, who has citizenship and who does not, age groups, etc., are being gathered. The information will be sent to the ministry for review and conclusions.”
Chief District Officer Nepal said that distributing citizenship according to the law will not be difficult and the process will be straightforward.
He added, “Citizenship will be granted according to the law without any obstacles.”
According to the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, the international border between Nepal and India in Nawalparasi is the Narayani River. Border experts note that initially, Susta village was located on the west bank of the Narayani River.
However, due to flooding, the river’s course shifted westward, placing Susta on the east bank of the Narayani River.
Susta contains posts of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force and is a settlement comprising about 300 households.
It is said there are around 2,000 bighas of vacant land claimed by both Nepal and India for many years.
Border specialist Buddha Narayan Shrestha discussed that approximately 145 square kilometers of land in Susta have been encroached upon.
He stated, “River erosion and the absence of boundary pillars are considered primary reasons for the encroachment. During major floods, the Narayani River breaching impacts Susta, and India has treated this breach as its border, thus encroaching.”
Although the Sugauli Treaty identifies the Narayani River as the boundary, the river’s changing course has caused land to be pushed aside and increased encroachment, he added.
India has also acknowledged that there is a border dispute in the Susta area.
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