Heightened Vigilance at the Indian Border; No Evidence of Additional Rohingya Entry into Nepal
Image source, BBC/SHARADKC
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Authorities have stated that vigilance has been heightened at the border due to concerns about Rohingya fleeing India entering Nepal.
Officials have reported increased monitoring and proactive measures to prevent illegal entry of foreign nationals into Nepal by crossing the Indian border.
So far, there have been no reports of any illegal entries into Nepal.
Particularly, vigilance has been increased in the border districts of Koshi Province, which is linked to the recent political changes in West Bengal, India.
Since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took office in West Bengal and implemented strict policies against Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh and Myanmar, officials say a directive has been issued to prevent their entry into Nepal through enhanced surveillance.
Heightened security measures have been emphasized considering security challenges in the border districts of eastern Nepal.
Searching for Rohingya?
Image source, BBC/sharadkc
Concerns raised during the establishment of the BJP government in West Bengal have been reinforced by the party’s declared policies.
Indian media report that on Saturday, 23 districts were given directives to establish holding centers to accommodate illegal immigrants.
Three days after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the “Detect, Delete and Deport” policy targeting illegal entrants, the Home Ministry reportedly issued implementation orders.
DIG Vinod Ghimire, head of Koshi Province Police, said, “Surveillance has been tightened along the border to prevent illegal entry. Forces have been deployed to detect and identify anyone who enters covertly.”
However, he specified that this policy was implemented as a precaution despite no specific intelligence.
Officials have indicated that identification cards are now required for those entering Koshi Province border districts.
Jafar Miya, a leader of the Rohingya community based in Kathmandu, stated, “The government has not caused any inconvenience under this pretext; they have instructed not to shelter anyone arriving from outside and to inform us.”
Image source, APF
‘No Sightings of Entry into Nepal’
Image source, BBC/sharadkc
Officials say the police administration became concerned a few days ago after videos circulated on social media claiming Rohingya were entering Nepal.
The claim was that Rohingya had entered from Madhesh Province.
However, Bhola Dahal, Chief District Officer of Parsa district, stressed that the border is being strictly monitored to prevent unauthorized entry.
“We have increased vigilance everywhere, the border area is strictly monitored, and staff are deployed,” he said. “Illegal Rohingya entry through our district’s border is zero.”
According to the Immigration Department, there is no official information confirming that any Rohingya or Bangladeshi has entered Nepal illegally.
Tikaram Dhakal, spokesperson and director of the department, stated, “So far, there are no records of Rohingya individuals being taken into custody or handed over to immigration offices by the police.”
Image source, Facebook/SSB
Jafar Miya, who has lived in Nepal for a long time, also confirmed that no new Rohingya have arrived in Nepal.
“No additional individuals have arrived. The number remains the same as before,” he said. “There is no finalized decision yet about our return to the homeland or resettlement in a third country.”
Approximately fifteen nationalities are classified as illegal immigrants in Nepal, including nearly 440 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.
According to former Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, the government has not officially recognized anyone as a refugee.
“They have been allowed to stay on humanitarian grounds,” he explained. “The Home Ministry’s policy is to repatriate them.”
However, the Supreme Court has issued orders to prevent forced repatriation when life is at risk.
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