Delhi blast sparks unprecedented security along India-Nepal border during polls

Jogbani: The ripple effects of the Delhi blast were felt along the India-Nepal border during the second phase of the Bihar assembly elections. On polling day on Tuesday, residents and commuters in Araria district witnessed an extraordinary level of security preparedness, as both state and central agencies intensified vigilance to prevent any untoward incident.Security forces were deployed in full strength across the district with all polling booths equipped with webcasting facilities to ensure transparency and real-time monitoring. In light of the blast in the national capital, additional layers of security were introduced, particularly along the sensitive Indo-Nepal border. Intelligence officials, paramilitary units and local police were placed on high alert, coordinating efforts to secure the region.

The Jogbani border, a key transit point between India and Nepal, was completely sealed for the day. Reinforcements were positioned at strategic entry and exit points along the 70-km porous border, covering vulnerable villages such as Kusmaha, Bheryari, Fulkaha, Ghurna and Basmatiya. Security personnel were also deployed in remote areas with dense vegetation and narrow footpaths, often used for clandestine cross-border movement.

All border outposts (BOPs) were instructed to operate under high-alert protocols. A robust five-layer security screening system was activated across both road and rail networks. Dog squads and narcotics detection units remained on standby, ready to respond to any suspicious activity. The district administration described the security setup as an "impenetrable fortress," aimed at ensuring peaceful and fair polling.Araria SP Anjani Kumar said, "All police stations and outposts are functioning in high-alert mode. We are leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safety of voters and the integrity of the electoral process."Forbesganj SDPO Mukesh Sah added, "Except for ambulances with valid documentation, every vehicle is being thoroughly inspected. In the wake of the Delhi blast, we have sensitised all our personnel at border checkpoints to remain extra vigilant."Locals expressed mixed emotions. While many appreciated the heightened security, others felt uneasy about the tense atmosphere following the blast. "Though we understand the need for strict measures, the atmosphere feels heavy. We are definitely feeling the impact," said Karan Kumar, a resident of Jogbani.Musharraf Hayat, a cloth merchant from the same area, condemned the Delhi blast, calling it "a cowardly and anti-national act that has disrupted peace and created fear among ordinary citizens."Despite the anxiety, voter turnout remained steady, with citizens determined to exercise their democratic rights. The district administration continued to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that the electoral process proceeded without disruption.