National
Indian border police ‘harass’ Nepali migrants
Indian police deployed at the Rupaidiha border point have been extorting money from Nepali travellers charging that they brought in large sums of Indian currency from IndiaThakur Singh Tharu
Indian police deployed at the Rupaidiha border point have been extorting money from Nepali travellers charging that they brought in large sums of Indian currency from India.
Nepalis who crossed the Nepalgunj-Rupaidiha point complained of the Indian police taking bribe on the border. They have been taking IRs200 to 500 from each person. Birkha Bahadur Khatri of Kushapani, Dailekh, said he was returning
home via Rupaidiha after working in India. “I had IRs150,000. The Indian police threatened me and made me cough up money,” he said.
Seven Nepalis who crossed over to Nepalgunj from the Indian side also said they paid bribes to the Indian police. Ram Bahadur Shahi of Dailekh said the Indian authorities threatened to send them into prison. “Our group gave IRs1,500 to the border police while entering Nepal,” said Shahi.
Officiating chief of the Jamunaha Police Office Sub-inspector Hari Bahadur Gurung said he had talked to the Indian authorities in Raxaul after the Nepali workers told them about the incident. “Raxaul Police Station chief Chhote Yadav has assured us of an end to extortion,” said Gurung.
People working in India cannot send money directly to their relatives in Nepal as they need an Indian ration card and Voter ID to open a bank account in India.