Govt tightens security along India-Nepal border

Patna: Chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit on Thursday reviewed a monthlong crackdown along the India-Nepal border in Bihar, focusing on financial surveillance, encroachment removal and strengthening border security mechanisms amid concerns over “anti-national and anti-social elements” operating in the region.Counterfeit currency detection machines have been installed in 1,259 of the 1,292 commercial bank branches operating across seven Bihar districts along the border with Nepal over the past month, officials said. The drive covers West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj, while Bagaha police district also falls under the stretch, which is guarded by 194 Seema Suraksha Bal outposts and 70 police stations.Officials have taken action against 28 suspicious business and financial establishments in Sitamarhi, 21 in Kishanganj, nine in West Champaran, six each in Madhubani and Supaul and five each in Araria and East Champaran, officials said. In Araria, investigations have flagged serious financial irregularities and suspicious foreign investments, now under probe by the income tax director (investigation).Banks have been directed to follow currency transaction reports, suspicious transaction reports and KYC norms while police verification of bank employees has been made mandatory, officials said.

So far 78 mule accounts have been frozen in Bettiah, five FIRs registered while 148 accounts have been frozen and 33 cases lodged across other districts, they added.Chief secretary also reviewed encroachment removal and border infrastructure he said 1,359 encroachments were identified of which 1,349 have been removed while 879 of 996 govt land encroachments have also been cleared officials said.