‘On close watch’: India-Nepal border on alert as protests rage in Kathmandu; SSB tightens vigilance | India News

The India-Nepal border has been put on alert amid ongoing protests in Nepal, ANI reported, citing sources. The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), which guards the border, has stepped up vigilance and is closely monitoring developments to prevent any spillover of unrest into Indian territory.Officials stressed that the alert is “preventive in nature” and that the situation remains under control.“An alert has been issued on the India-Nepal border, considering a protest in Nepal. Sashastra Seema Bal is keeping a close watch on the development,” officials said.The India-Nepal border, spanning 1,751 km across Uttarakhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Sikkim, permits free movement for citizens of both countries. Historically, alerts have been issued along the border during periods of internal turmoil in Nepal, such as the 2015 Madhesi protests, which disrupted trade and cross-border movement.The SSB, a Central Armed Police Force, is responsible for maintaining heightened security along the India-Nepal border and has the strength of over 90,000 personnel. It provides regular updates to the ministry of home affairs. In addition to guarding the border, the force is deployed for counter-insurgency and internal security operations across India as required.The SSB is on alert after thousands of youths in Nepal stormed the parliament on Monday, protesting against the government’s decision to block 26 popular social media platforms.Largely led by Generation Z, the demonstrations expressed not only anger over the social media blackout but also broader frustration with the country’s entrenched corruption.Protesters called the ban a “direct assault on speech, work and connectivity,” arguing that it has cut off essential tools for communication, news, entertainment, and small businesses.Clashes with police left 16 protesters dead and more than 42 injured, as per the Himalayan Times. Dozens of injured protesters are receiving treatment at Civil Hospital, Everest Hospital, and other nearby medical facilities. Activist Ronesh Pradhan told the Kathmandu Post that the organization Hami Nepal has set up a first-aid camp at Maitighar, where six to seven demonstrators are also being treated.