Life, trade suffer as uneasy calm prevails on India-Nepal border from Jogbani to Kishanganj

Jogbani (Araria): With businesses shuttered and streets deserted, an uneasy calm prevailed on Wednesday on India-Nepal border in Bihar’s Araria district, especially at Jogbani, which now resembles a ghost town.The Nepal protests, primarily against the ban on social media, rising unemployment and corruption, have been causing significant disturbances in trade as well as daily life in the 95km stretch from Jogbani to Kishanganj on India-Nepal border.The unrest reached a flashpoint in Biratnagar, Nepal’s second-largest city adjacent to Jogbani, where protesters set on fire the border gates and Bhansar Office, the customs and revenue facility, at Rani.In response, Indian authorities have sealed the Jogbani border entirely, halting vehicular movement into Nepal.Security forces, including SSB, the local police and intelligence agencies, have been placed on high alert, and checks intensified at all border exit points.While Indian citizens are barred from entering Nepal, Nepali nationals residing in India are permitted to return to their country.Araria district magistrate Anil Kumar and superintendent of police Anjani Kumar are closely monitoring the situation.This unrest has brought the cross-border activities to a near halt since Monday.Karan Kumar, a resident of Jogbani, described the situation as dire, with local communities facing challenges related to healthcare access, loss of income, halted trade, and restricted movement.Mohd Musharraf Hayat, a businessman at Jogbani’s main market, said that traders have suffered losses to the tune of around Rs 500 crore. “Nepali customers are our lifeline. With their entry blocked, commercial activity has collapsed,” he said.Zeeshan Khan, a 30-year-old resident, emphasised the plight of approximately 2,000 daily-wage earners who have lost their livelihoods.Markets in Sikti, Bardaha, Sonamoni Godawn, Kuaari, Bathnaha, Ghurna, Narpatganj, and Fulkaha are among the worst affected.The hotel business is also suffering due to the lack of Nepali visitors and tourists, who have cancelled their bookings, further impacting the local economy.The healthcare crisis is equally alarming. Many Indian families living near the border rely on Nepal’s hospitals, which are geographically closer and better equipped. Eye patients from West Bengal and Bihar are among those now unable to access treatment.According to Hayat, nearly 80% of patients in the region depend on Nepali medical facilities.Also, operations at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Jogbani have been suspended, resulting in massive traffic jams on Indian roads.Railway services have also been affected, with trains from Jogbani carrying fewer passengers since the unrest began. Goods are also not being booked for outside destinations at Jogbani, further affecting the local economy.Meanwhile, the Indian citizens with family ties in Nepal are anxious about their relatives’ well-being, as they are not allowed to enter Nepal due to security restrictions.Only positive aspect amid all these is that liquor smuggling from Nepal to Bihar has decreased sporadically.