Indian Seema Surakshya Bal (border security force) on Friday arrested two Nepalis who had gone to bordering Indian market Tikoniya to fetch groceries.

The arrested Nepalis have been identified as Keshav Dahit Tharu and Antaram Tharu, both residents of Madhuban Municipality-6 in Bardiya district.

Locals said that plain-clothed SSB officials sitting at the border had asked the Nepalis to deliver a packet they (SSB) were carrying to a medical shop in Tikoniya. 

Upon reaching there, SSB accused the Nepalis of carrying cocaine and arrested them on the false charge, the relatives of the arrested Nepalis said.

DSP Yuvraj Khatiwada of the District Police Office Bardiya, said that DSP Krishnaji Adhikari of the Area Police Office, Rajapur, had gone to the border area to inquire about the situation.

Relatives said that Antaram is a tailor while Keshav had crossed the border for the first time.