BIRATNAGAR: A high-level investigation has begun against 11 security personnel, including two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), after allegations of involvement of security personnel in smuggling taking place at the Kakarbhitta checkpoint of Jhapa were made.

During a field inspection by Home Minister Sudhan Gurung, locals provided information regarding smuggling ‘lines,’ dragging DSP Nishesh Chapagain of the Area Police Office Kakarbhitta and DSP Bikash Thapa of the Armed Police Force (APF) Border Outpost (BOP) Kakarbhitta into the ambit of investigation.

The police have seized the mobile phones of 11 individuals, including them, and sent them to the forensic science laboratory for testing.

Those falling under the ambit of investigation include six from the APF and five from the Nepal Police. According to information provided by security agencies, six undercover personnel have also been recalled to headquarters for investigation on charges of abetting smuggling and illegal collection.

Local courage before the Home Minister

An unexpected scene was witnessed on Sunday afternoon when Home Minister Gurung arrived for an inspection of the Kakarbhitta border and customs office. Standing right in front of the home minister, local trader Bandana Meche claimed that smuggling was taking place in collusion with the Police and the APF.

“Once night falls, smuggling takes place through various checkpoints of Kakarbhitta. We hear that so-and-so’s ‘line’ operates here; this situation must change,” Meche told the minister on Sunday. After hearing the local’s words, Minister Gurung took her inside the customs office to understand further. There, he sent out officials including Chief District Officer Shiva Ram Gelal and Customs Chief Shivalal Neupane and took a briefing alone with the woman.

Home Minister Sudhan Gurung on border inspection

After Meche provided details to the home minister regarding the smuggling checkpoints at Turrkeni, Durga Mandir, Church, and Gairi Gaun along the border area and the security personnel involved in them, Minister Gurung immediately directed the advancement of the action process.

Network of ‘extortion terror’ in APF

Prior to this, the APF Headquarters had been investigating three undercover personnel recalled to Kathmandu on charges of unleashing an ‘extortion terror’ in Koshi Province. Those undergoing investigation are Sub-Inspector (SI) Ganesh Khadka, Head Constable Hari Magar, and Constable Paras Yadav. Similarly, Senior Head Constable Shyam Chaudhary and Assistant Head Constable Narayan Khanal are also under the ambit of investigation.

According to the central spokesperson of the Armed Police Force, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Netra Bahadur Karki, a complaint was filed against them for taking financial benefits in collusion with smuggling groups. “Following various complaints, they were recalled to Kathmandu on June 24 itself, and an internal investigation was initiated,” he said. It is claimed that SI Khadka used the names of higher-level officials to arrange smuggling settings.

DIG Binod Ghimire of the Koshi Province Police Office stated that the complaints received during the Home Minister’s inspection have been taken seriously. “Some serious complaints have been received; we are conducting further investigation,” he said, “The Home Minister has also given clear directions to take action against those found involved.”

Superintendent of Police (SP) Basundhara Khadka of the District Police Office Jhapa also confirmed that an internal investigation into the incident is underway. However, DSP Nishesh Chapagain, whose mobile phone was said to be seized, denied that his mobile phone was taken.

A commotion has erupted across the border checkpoints of Jhapa after the commanders of the security agencies entrusted with the responsibility of border security and anti-smuggling were dragged into the ambit of investigation.