GANGTOK, Sept 7 - The 10th Deputy Inspectors General Level coordination meeting between the Sashastra Seema Bal of India and the Armed Police Force (APF) of Nepal was held at the Sector HQ, SSB, here on Friday. Nagendra Bahadur Thapa, Deputy Inspector General, Sunsari Brigade, Armed Police Force, Nepal, led the eight-member delegation of the APF. Three Deputy Inspectors General of Sector HQ, SSB, Gangtok (Sikkim), Sector HQ, SSB, Ranidanga (Siliguri), and Sector HQ, SSB, Purnea (Bihar), and eight commandants of the SSB field units attended the meeting from the Indian side.
Delivering his opening address, Bishwajeet Kumar Pal, Deputy Inspector General, Sector HQ, SSB, Gangtok stressed the significance of the meeting and the age-old ties between the people of India and Nepal. He also outlined the need for stronger coordination and cooperation between both the forces deployed to keep the Indo-Nepal border safe and secure, and maintain the sanctity of the border.
Challenges like encroachment on �no-man�s land�, infiltration and trans-border smuggling of arms, explosives, drugs, contraband items , FICN, wildlife products, human trafficking faced by both the forces were highlighted by him during the opening address.
Pal pointed out that joint patrolling by the SSB and the APF can be very helpful to have a comprehensive area assessment, identify sensitive routes on the open border and enhance synergy between the two forces.
Amit Kumar, Deputy Inspector General, Sector HQ, SSB, Ranidanga, Siliguri, also highlighted the relationship between India and Nepal.
During the meeting, issues relating to repair and reconstruction of damaged and missing border pillars, prevention of human trafficking, prevention of circulation of fake currency, prevention of smuggling of wildlife products, identification of likely routes used by smugglers and criminals and prevention of antisocial elements/criminals across the border, were discussed in complete detail.
Nagendra Bahadur Thapa, Deputy Inspector General, Sunsari Brigade, APF, Nepal, stressed that Nepal has deep cultural and social relationship with India, and that there is strong need for working together on developing mutual trust, understanding and professional brotherhood. He assured that steps would be taken to strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation between the two forces.
