Nepal fanning anti-SSB sentiments: DG BD Sharma

Talking to reporters at Lucknow Frontier office of SSB, Sharma said there is a sentiment against SSB among Nepali people and the administration there also fans it. He said the SSB and APFN now hold only one flag meeting every month as higher frequency of flag meetings caused disturbance on the other side.

Commenting on the turmoil caused in Nepal by the agitation of Madhesis and recent incident of capture of 13 SSB jawans who entered Nepal chasing two suspected smugglers from Bihar, Sharma admitted that there was a prima facie lapse on part of Indian border force and an inquiry into the incident is going on.

“We (SSB personnel) cannot enter Nepal with arms. But we have good relations with the APFN. We gave shelter to them at our outpost when they were attacked during Madhes turmoil,” he said. Sharma said the Nepal’s request for removing people of Nepal from no man’s land was, however, declined as it is the internal matter of the neighbouring country.

He said SSB has increased its vigil after the earthquake in Nepal in April and Madhesi agitation. Sharma said they have rescued over 350 women, who were being trafficked, and arrested over 100 traffickers in a year. He said these cases have seen an increase of eight per cent compared to last year.

Sharma said it was because of the SSB’s strict vigil that animals were stopped from being taken across the border for sacrifice during Gadhimai festival in Nepal last year.

Sharma will visit the SSB border outposts on Wednesday. He said the SSB was publicising its toll free number, on which locals can complain about any improper activities of SSB personnel and can also provide information about incidents of smuggling and trafficking.