Indians flee Nepal, enter Bihar and Bengal

Siliguri, Feb 4 (UNI) Grave concerns were expressed in various quarters following the massive influx of 'Madhesias' (Nepalese citizens of Indian origin) in Bengal and Bihar after alleged brutality against them by police in Nepal.

According to preliminary estimates over 10,000 'Madhesias' were forced to leave the Kingdom over past few days after anti-government protests and subsequent violence at Biratnagar in Nepal. The Indians, who live in Nepal since centuries, were now forced to flee the country due to police brutality there.

The displaced people were entering Indian villages through porous borders of Bihar and West Bengal, official sources here said today.

''Over 10,000 'Madhesias' have crossed Nepal borders and entered into Indian villages in the last few days. North Dinajpur in West Bengal is mainly affected by the influx,'' said Mr Kamal Chakraverty, Additional District Magistrate of North Dinajpur.

He told UNI the displaced people from Nepal were now flocking North Dinajpur besides Araria, Yogbani, Forbeshgunj and Birpur districts in Bihar.

Mr Chakraverty said all border police stations in West Bengal had been alerted. He said efforts were on to keep in touch with the Bihar government regarding the largescale influx.

A displaced person from Biratnagar said he broke jungle trails along with his kids and aged parents and trekked to India for almost two days in a bid to save his family members from the police torture. He alleged that the Kathmandu administration was not reacting to the police brutality on the 'Madhesias', a derogatory term for Indian origin in Nepal.

The Nepalese community of Indian origin was sponsoring indefinite strike, demanding greater representation in political parties, Nepal Parliament and in the government and security agencies. The movement sponsored by the Madhesia Janadhikar Forum (MJF).

Another party of 12 Nepalese tribes has also put up the same demand.

Deputy Inspector General of Sasastra Seema Bal (SSB), North Bengal, Harish Chandra Panday, told UNI the jawans were keeping a close watch on the volatile situation.

In Patna, Bihar Congress spokesman Kripanath Pathak alleged that the Nepalese Police had unleashed a reign of terror over 'Madhesias' forcing them to leave homes.

''The Nepalese government is not serious to bring the situation under control and protect their lives and properties,'' he said in a statement yesterday.

''Mass inflow of 'Madhesias' from Nepal into India was posing threats to our internal security as chances of Maoist activists sneaking with them into bordering districts of Bihar are high,'' he observed.

He urged the Centre to raise the issue with the Nepalese government to ensure protection of lives and properties of the 'Madhesias'.

UNI