Indo-Bhutan border to be sealed from March 23-25

Siliguri, Mar 16 (UNI) Darjeeling district administration today decided to seal the part of the Indo-Bhutan border within the district from March 23 to 25 in view of the March 24 general election in Bhutan.

In a meeting with the adminsitrative officials of that country here, Darjeeling Superintendent of Police Rahul Srivastava said the decision was taken fearing disturbances created by the Maoists during elections.

SP Srivastava said the Maoists present on the border areas might trigger blasts and other disturbances during the general polls.

''We have decided to seal the border after that country's officials urged us and might impose 144 Cr PC also in that area,'' he added.

Present in the meeting were Dargeeling District Magistrate Rajesh Pandey, the Siliguri DIG, Sashatra Seema Bal chief and Phutshiling (Bhutan) Sub Divisional Officer.

Meanwhile, the Nepal administration has also urged India to seal the border with the country in view of the April 10 general polls in that country.

Nepal's Jhapa and Ilam districts Chief Development Officer Shankar Prasad Koirala and Deputy director National Investigation Department Prakash Khatkar in a meeting with Indian counterparts have urged to seal the border.

However, no decision has been taken so far in this regard.

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