Home minister inspects border security, elephant-hit areas in Jhapa

JHAPA, July 6: Home Minister Sudan Gurung is on a visit to Jhapa to assess border security, review security challenges in the district and inspect areas affected by recurring human-elephant conflict.

After arriving in Jhapa on Sunday night, Gurung met members of the District Security Committee at Salbari Heritage Villa in Arjundhara Municipality-11 on Monday. The meeting was attended by Chief District Officer Shivaram Gelal, Jhapa Police Chief SP Basundhara Khadka, Armed Police Force SP Ambika Prasad Joshi and National Investigation Department chief Umesh Pandey.

The minister held discussions on the district's overall security situation, border management, smuggling, drug trafficking, human trafficking and other emerging security concerns.

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Later in the day, Gurung travelled to Bahundangi in Mechinagar Municipality-4, an area frequently affected by wild elephants. En route, he visited Santpur in Buddhashanti Rural Municipality-6 and met Aniket Chaulagain, who was injured during the Gen-Z movement, to inquire about his health.

The home minister also inspected the Jorsimal Armed Police Force border check post in Mechinagar-7 and directed security personnel to further strengthen border security. He then visited the Kakarbhitta border crossing to review security arrangements and passenger screening facilities before inspecting the Mechi Customs Office, where he received updates on customs management, revenue collection and cross-border movement.

During the visit, Gurung expressed concern over cross-border smuggling, drug trafficking, human trafficking and other illegal activities along the Nepal-India border, as well as the long-standing problem of wild elephants in Bahundangi. He is scheduled to hold discussions with security officials, local representatives and stakeholders and interact with residents to hear their concerns and suggestions.

Jhapa police said security has been tightened across the district in view of the minister's visit, with security agencies remaining on high alert for nearly 36 hours.