The government has recently increased its security presence in Susta, a border area in West Nawalparasi that frequently makes headlines due to border disputes with India.
Locals report that while only Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force (APF) were previously stationed in Susta, the Nepal Army has also begun showing an active presence recently. The number of APF personnel assigned for border security has also been increased from the previous deployment of 25 officers led by an inspector.
According to locals, a team led by General Yam Bahadur Adhikari, head of the Nepali Army’s Border Security Directorate, arrived in Susta on July 6. When the plainclothes team reached the border area, it was questioned by India’s Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
A local from Susta said that after the Nepal Army team arrived in plain clothes without formal notification, Indian SSB officials began taking photographs. The Nepal Army team subsequently intervened to stop them from taking pictures.
Susta has been plagued for years by unresolved issues regarding the citizenship of its residents, land ownership certificates, and the border dispute with India. The border issue gained further prominence recently after Prime Minister Balen Shah stated from Parliament’s rostrum that "Not only India has encroached on Nepal's land, Nepal has also encroached on India's land."
Following this statement, the Indian SSB began intimidating locals by entering Nepali territory.
In early June, the SSB obstructed the construction of a river embankment that the Government of Nepal is building to protect Susta’s settlement, located across the Narayani River, from flood erosion. Later, on June 12, locals resisted and forced an armed Indian SSB group to retreat after they entered Nepali territory.
After Susta locals traveled to Kathmandu in the last week of June and pressured the government to address border issues and other demands, the Ministry of Home Affairs sent a letter on July 3, directing the District Administration Office to resolve the local residents' problems.
The letter, signed by Home Ministry Section Officer Ananda Bansha Neupane, states that additional security personnel are to be deployed in the Susta area due to its sensitivity from a security perspective.
The local delegation from Susta, who had traveled to Kathmandu with their grievances, held a sit-in at Maitighar Mandala and also met with Home Minister Sudhan Gurung on July 1. They demanded the establishment of a security post under the command of the Nepal Army, citing an increase in atrocities committed by Indian security personnel against Nepalis.
The Home Ministry’s letter further states that locals deprived of citizenship will be granted citizenship certificates upon completing the procedures in accordance with the Citizenship Act and regulations. It also specifies that if it is determined that citizenship cannot be granted under existing laws, the reasons must be documented and reported back to the ministry for policy-level initiatives.
Based on this ministerial directive, the local ward office has begun work on matters including providing citizenship to Susta residents, and the security presence – now including the Nepali Army – has been stepped up.
