Red alert along international borders in Kishanganj

Kishanganj, Jan 30: The police have sounded a red alert along the114-km long Bihar-Nepal border in this district following reprisalsagainst the 'Madhesiyas' (people of Indian origin) in the Terai areasof neighbouring Nepal.

Kishanganj Superintendent of Police (SP) Sunil Kumar Sinha saidthe step was taken following reports about disturbances in the Teraiareas of Nepal lying contiguous to this district.

The central para-military's 21st battalion Sashastra Seema Bal(SSB), deployed on the long and porous Bihar-Nepal border, was keepinga constant watch on the development across the border.

Mr Sunil Kumar Chopra, SSB Commandant of the 21st battalion toldUNI here today that as of now there were not many signs of disturbancesin the villages from across this district. Uprisings and disturbanceswere more or less confined to places in the vicinity of Biratnagar inNepal, he said.

He, however, apprehended exodus of Madhesiyas from villages fromacross the Terai belt. ''We are surely watchful and vigilant,'' headded.

According to reports emanating from Nepal, government forces inNepal were quelling the sectarian uprising of the 'Madhesiyas' who wantjust not voting rights but have also called for, in some sections, ahomeland of their own.

UNI >