India Puts Border States on High Alert Amid Nepal Unrest

New Delhi: As neighbouring Nepal grapples with a deepening political crisis following two days of violent anti-government protests, Indian states along the border—Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and West Bengal—have been placed on round-the-clock high alert, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

In Uttar Pradesh, a 24×7 special control room has been set up at the police headquarters in Lucknow to assist Indian citizens stranded in Nepal, Additional Director General (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash told PTI. The helpline numbers are 0522-2390257, 0522-2724010, 9454401674, with the last also functional on WhatsApp. He added that the social media cell has been tasked with monitoring all sensitive posts related to Nepal, with immediate action to follow wherever necessary.

Enhanced Border Security
Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna has ordered intensified patrolling, bolstered surveillance, and deployment of additional forces along the Indo-Nepal border. Similarly, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami chaired a review meeting with senior officials—including Border Security Force representatives, the state DGP, principal secretaries, and district magistrates of border districts Champawat, Pithoragarh, and Udham Singh Nagar—on the evolving security situation.

In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed for calm in northern districts near the Nepal frontier. “We love Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. We love all our bordering countries. I urge residents of Siliguri, Kalimpong and other areas near the Nepal border to maintain peace and avoid any activity that could create trouble. This is not our problem; let them restore normalcy,” she said.

The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), which guards the 1,751-km open border with Nepal, has also tightened security. According to officials, additional personnel have been deployed at 22 border outposts, while police in five sensitive areas are conducting drone-based surveillance. “All field commanders of the SSB have been instructed to remain on the ground and maintain enhanced vigilance,” an official said.

Nepal Crisis Deepens
Nepal has been thrown into turmoil after widespread student-led protests escalated into violent clashes, targeting private residences of senior leaders, political party offices, and even Parliament. At least 19 people were killed in police action on Monday, with scores injured.

The protests, dubbed the ‘Gen Z movement’, were triggered by a controversial ban on social media and frustration over alleged government inaction on corruption. Although the Oli government revoked the ban late Monday night, demonstrations intensified the following day, with incidents of arson and vandalism reported across major cities.