Sagar Suraj

MOTIHARI : Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) guarding the Indo-Nepal border have set up a check post on the ‘friendship bridge’ at Bihar’s Raxaul causing concern to the visitors of both the nations.

The bridge located on ‘Sariswa River’- delineating ‘no-men’s land’ between both countries is straining the historic ties of roti-beti, religious spiritual faith and cross-border trade between India and Nepal.

Various bodies formed in and across the border to keep intact the age-old mutual friendship between two nations, have registered their anger over alleged ‘high handedness’ of SSB personnel during the checking and frisking process on the check post.

 Senior Vice President of Nepal- India Vishwa Maitri Sangha Praveen Mainali, Nepal, visited Raxaul, and expressed deep concern over the checking system implemented on the ‘Friendship Bridge (Maitri pool).

“The bridge, which was once considered a symbol of friendship between India and Nepal, has become a reason for ‘uncomfortable experience’ for traders, travelers, pilgrims and border citizens”, he said.

Mr Mainali says that due to the strict checking system on the bridge, people are getting stuck in traffic jams for hours, and a feeling of fear and discomfort has taken root in the minds of everyone. who crosses the border.

 

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Mainali said that verification and checking is necessary, but its method should not become a blow to friendship. This bridge is not a border but a shared path of centuries old relations, he said.

The relationship between India and Nepal is not limited to the diplomatic border between the two countries. This relationship has been cultural, familial and intimate.

 Marriages take place in thousands of families in both the countries, many Nepali citizens get employment in India and the movement of Nepali citizens to the border villages of India has been going on for generations. The sudden imposition of strict monitoring and paperwork on this is affecting the lifestyle and family structure of the people, he said.

 A large population of Nepal, especially people from the border areas, buys daily necessities from the border markets of India and takes them to their country. This is not just shopping, but is also a part of cross-border socio-cultural unity. But now the search of every bag, every packet, and long inspection processes are hampering trade movement, which is also creating economic imbalance.

 Mr Mainali expressed special concern about the upcoming Shravan month. Every year lakhs of devotees from Nepal travel to various Shiva temples in India for the Bolbam Yatra. Pilgrimage sites like Deoghar, Baijnath Dham, Banaras, Kashi Vishwanath and Areraj are the centers of faith for these pilgrims. In such a situation, the intensive checking being done on the Maitri Bridge can disrupt these religious pilgrimages and there is a possibility of hurting religious sentiments as well, he said.

 Mainali made it clear that he would take up this issue seriously with the Indian Embassy in Nepal, the Nepal government and the Indian government. He suggested that the check post be shifted some distance away from the Maitri Bridge so that neither security is compromised nor ease of public relations is affected.

Arun Kumar Gupta, President of Raxaul Textile Chamber of Commerce, said that there can be a place for investigation, but there should not be a wall between relationships. This bridge connects hearts; it should not be turned into a wall of documents.

Traders, transporters, social workers and local citizens of Raxaul and Birgunj (Nepal) are also dissatisfied with this arrangement. People say that this bridge of India-Nepal is not just a geographical structure but a medium of intimate communication between the two countries. If there is no ease in this today, then a line of distrust can be drawn between the people.

 The relations between India and Nepal have never been bound by visas and passports. These relations have been going on through the hearts – they are not made by blood, but by emotions. The need for a verification system cannot be denied, but if the way of implementing it ignores public sentiments and social structure, then the Maitri Bridge will no longer be a symbol of friendship but will become an administrative wall.

BNM tried to take versions of SSB officials on the allegations, but no one appeared to comment on “Are there any necessities to streamline the verification system on this “questioned check post’.