RANJHA (Banke), April 13: As many as sixteen border pillars along the 65-kilometer Nepal-India border adjoining the Banke district have been found missing. 

According to the chief of the Armed Police Force’s Bageshwori Battalion, Bimal Dangi, five main border pillars and 11 auxiliary pillars are missing in the district. The APF battalion is  deputed for border security, including the security of border pillars.

Most of the missing border pillars were situated in riverside areas and some of the remaining pillars are in dilapidated state.

Dangi mentioned, "Of the missing pillars, most of them were swept away by the Rapti river and have not been reconstructed yet.

The district has 311 border pillars including 32 main and 279 auxiliary border pillars. A joint consent of both countries is required to repair and paint the border pillars.

He further shared that the APF regularly monitors the border pillars and sends the details to the bodies concerned. “Nothing can be done without a joint team of the Department of Survey of both the countries if the border pillars get swept away by rivers or fall.”

The APF painted 71 border pillars a few months ago at the joint decision of both countries.

The APF has been providing security of border pillars, setting up 10 border outposts (BOPs) along the 65-kilometer border in the district while India has established 23 BOPs towards the Indian side.

Preparations have been made to establish one more BOP at Saigaon of Janaki Rural Municipality towards the Nepali side, according to the APF.

 
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