In a dramatic twist amid the ongoing unrest in Nepal, 10 undertrial prisoners, including two men from Bihar, were caught by Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel while attempting to cross into India late Tuesday night. Officials said the detainees had escaped from Jaleswar prison in Nepal, taking advantage of the chaos triggered by nationwide protests.
The arrests took place along the porous Indo-Nepal border in Sitamarhi district of Bihar. Acting swiftly, SSB troops intercepted the fugitives near the crossing points and handed them over to the local police.
At Bittha More police station, seven escapees were taken into custody, including Mohan Kumar of Hajipur in Vaishali district. Station House Officer Manoj Kumar confirmed that they have been lodged behind bars as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, at Sursand police station, three others—including Guddu Kumar of Motihari district—were detained. SHO Dhananjay Kumar Pandey said the trio will remain in custody until further orders are issued.
The attempted jailbreak highlights the ripple effects of the political and social turmoil in Nepal spilling across the border. With demonstrations and violence continuing in the neighboring country, Indian security forces remain on high alert to prevent further infiltration or law-and-order disturbances along the sensitive frontier.
Authorities in Bihar are coordinating closely with their counterparts across the border, even as families of the detained locals are coming to terms with their sudden arrest. For residents living near the border, the incident has added a fresh layer of anxiety at a time when cross-border tensions are already running high.
Police officials said further questioning of the detainees will help uncover whether more escapees are attempting to slip into India under the cover of ongoing unrest.
