The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has so far detained 67 inmates, including a woman, while they attempted to cross into India from Nepal amid widespread unrest in the Himalayan nation.
The first female inmate caught, Anjila Khatoon, was apprehended in the West Bengal sector. All detainees were intercepted at various checkpoints along the India-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, officials told ANI.
Authorities said the prisoners were unable to produce valid identification, leading to their capture. “The precautionary measures are meant to ensure that no escaped inmate can misuse the open border system between the two countries,” an SSB official said.
The arrests come after mass jail breaks in Nepal, triggered by violent anti-government protests that led to arson, vandalism, and attacks on correctional facilities. Thousands of prisoners reportedly escaped from jails across all 77 districts, coinciding with protests that eventually forced Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign.
The SSB has stepped up surveillance along the 1,751-km-long Indo-Nepal border, deploying additional personnel, increasing patrolling, and conducting stringent identity checks. Despite some escapees attempting to disguise themselves as civilians, the lack of valid identification exposed them.
All detainees have been handed over to local police for further investigation and legal action. Officials warned that vigilance will continue, and the number of apprehended escapees may rise as monitoring at all border entry points remains strict.
The India-Nepal border allows visa-free movement for citizens of both countries, prompting Indian security forces to maintain high alert given the ongoing unrest in Nepal.
