MOHAN BUDHAIR

Migrant workers returning home from India for the Dashain festival as well as the Constituent Assembly election have complained of harassment and extortion by Indian security personnel and custom officials at the Nepal-India border.

Megh Bahadur Thapa of Ghodasaini in Acchham, who was returning home from India, on Sunday lodged a complaint at a centre set up to deal with such grievances at the border. The centre was set up three days ago as per a recent decision of authorities from both the countries.

Thapa claimed he was harassed by the Seema Suraksha Bal and that they took Rs 500 from him.

Likewise, another migrant worker Bir Bahadur Chalaune said Indian custom officials and the SSB let him go only after he paid them Rs 200. Chalaune also registered a complaint at the centre. Besides migrant workers, Nepalis going to Indian cities for shopping are allegedly said to be extorted by the SSB on various pretexts.

Migrant worker Prem Nepali, who was returning home for the Dashain festival, said he witnessed many incidents of extortions of home-bound Nepali workers at various places, including Delhi bus park, Paliya, Lakhimpur and Luchnow rail station. According to police, more than 500 migrant workers return home from India these days on a daily basis from Chitranagar border point in the district. Head Constable Nanda Devi BK said 15 cases of harassment and extortion of Nepalis were registered at the centre on Sunday noon alone. 

Likewise, migrant workers returning home from the Rupaidiha border post also complained of similar incidents in Banke on Saturday.

Indra Bahadur Raut, a resident of Shankhamul in Salyan who was returning from Shimla, said Indian officials let him through the border only after paying Indian Rs 20. “I was subjected to maltreatment even after coughing up the amount,” he said, informing that each of 25 other Nepalis also paid amount to the customs officials on Saturday morning.

Giridhar Budhathoki of Laxmipur in Salyan had a similar experience. He said it was easier to give the amount to the officials instead of going through unnecessary troubles.

Superintendent of Police Bhupal Kumar Bhandari of the District Police Office said they have informed the Indian side about the activity and requested them not to harass the home-bound migrant workers.

Published on: 30 September 2013 | The Kathmandu Post