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13 SSB personnel released after being detained by Nepal Police
Nepali security forces on Sunday detained 13 personnel of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) after they had allegedly crossed the border with arms, before releasing them several hours later.
Nepali security forces on Sunday detained 13 personnel of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) after they had allegedly crossed the border with arms, before releasing them several hours later.
“All the SSB personnel who had been detained for entering Nepal illegally with arms have been handed over to Indian side and we have begun investigations,” said assistant chief district officer Dambaru Prasad Niraula.
SSB officials said that the party had followed two jawans, identified as Constables Roshan and Ramprasad of the 12th SSB battalion, and had “inadvertently” crossed over into Khuntanmani village, following which the villagers surrounded them.
“Last night, our teams seized about 1,500 litres of diesel which was being smuggled from the same area on the border and hence the patrol party was on alert,” SSB inspector general (Operations) Deepak Kumar, at the force headquarter, said.
After having witnessed suspicious activity, the officials said, two SSB jawans followed the alleged smugglers after which the rest of the party went in.
The SSB personnel, four of whom were armed, were detained at an APF camp in Kechana for five hours.
Meanwhile, SSB chief BD Sharma told HT that he has ordered a court of inquiry into the incident.
“All 13 personnel had been freed and are back with their weapons and everything. We appreciate the cooperation extended by our counterparts on the Nepal side,” said Sharma here.
Agency reports also stated that a jeep bearing an Indian number plate was vandalized at Kanchanpur, with Nepali police escorting the vehicle back into India.
Sunday’s incident comes four days after Nepal accused SSB personnel of firing at and injuring four Nepali citizens. India has admitted a skirmish took place with smugglers along the border, but denied anyone was injured.
The SSB guards the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders and the 70,000 personnel force is under the administrative control of the Union home ministry.
Smuggling of essential goods, including petroleum products, have increased along the Indo-Nepal border over the past two months due to a blockade imposed by Madhesi parties opposed to the country’s new constitution.
(With inputs from agencies)
