India, Nepal launch joint border survey

Motihari: India and Nepal have launched a joint survey of their international border in seven districts, including East Champaran and West Champaran in Bihar, in an effort to remove encroachments from no man’s land and curb infiltration. The exercise is expected to be completed within a month to strengthen coordination and management along the porous India-Nepal border.The first meeting of the India-Nepal joint field survey teams (FST) was held at the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) headquarters in Raxaul on March 24. Administrative and police officials from border districts of both countries participated in the meeting, which was chaired by East Champaran district magistrate Saurabh Jorwal. Several technical issues related to the maintenance and security of boundary pillars were discussed.The Indian delegation was led by Jorwal and included district magistrates and superintendents of police from Supaul, Madhubani, Sitamarhi, East Champaran and West Champaran. The Nepali delegation was led by Siraha district magistrate Surendra Paudel and included officials from Dhanusha, Siraha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa and Chitwan districts.During the meeting, Jorwal said the FST would work in accordance with the mandate of the 7th Boundary Working Group and recommendations of the 12th Survey Officials Committee. The survey will examine boundary pillars, repair damaged ones, construct new pillars and relocate missing markers.Meanwhile, authorities on both sides have begun removing encroachments from no man’s land. In the past three days, the Nepali administration cleared encroachments near Ahirawa Tola and Premnagar close to Raxaul, while the SSB removed structures in Palanawa.SSB 47 battalion commandant Sanjay Pandey said, “Action is being taken to maintain the sanctity of the border and no illegal occupation will be tolerated.” The FST is expected to submit an interim report to the ministry of home affairs within 15 days.