Home Minister of the federal government, Ramesh Ukhtar, has returned after spending two days in Biratnagar, the capital of Koshi province. He came down to Biratnagar on Tuesday morning in connection with the state-level security conference. In the inaugural session, the Congress leader and author expressed his views on issues such as peace and security, constitutional amendment, monarchist movement and international border crimes.

He raised the issue of smuggling that thrived at the border in a complicated way. Witnessing the security officers of all 14 districts participating in the conference, he said, 'Smuggling should be controlled within 30 days. Otherwise, the Ministry of Home Affairs will take action.'

With the Home Minister's warning, more pressure has been created on the security agencies of the East. However, the security officials themselves are not sure that a complex problem like smuggling, which has been going on for a long time, can be brought under control within a month. A senior security officer responded and said, 'We are constantly trying, we will make our efforts more effective in the future.'

Before using strong language on the issue of smuggling control, the Home Minister writer met with industrialists and businessmen. In the meeting, the industrialists complained about the problems in the industry and business due to the illegal activities going on at the border. Based on the same complaint, he had a particularly strong opinion on the issue of smuggling control at the conference.

Earlier, a delegation of industrialists and businessmen met Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel and demanded control of smuggling. According to Anupam Rathi, President of Morang Industry and Commerce Association, the domestic industry and business are in crisis due to illegal transactions from the border Indian market. He said, 'It is necessary to control illegal transactions and maintain competitive prices by adjusting the import duty of food and clothing. Otherwise, there is an increased risk of domestic industry and business being destroyed.'

After the Home Minister's warning, the question has been raised as to what steps will be taken by the government. It has also become a matter of interest how much the activity of the security agencies will increase.

Security leadership has recently changed in most districts of Koshi Pradesh. From the DIG of the State Police Office to the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Jhapa, new officers have reached the responsibilities. Chief District Officer (CDO) is also new in some districts. The heads of Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department are also new faces. Customs chiefs are also changing.

However, even though the leadership has changed, the old problem of smuggling remains. Especially the border crossings of Ilam, Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari have become centers of smuggling. An open border of about 450 km from Pashupatinagar to Bhimnagar is connected to the Indian states of West Bengal and Bihar, through which illegal trade in everything from food grains to clothes takes place.

It is being alleged that not only illegal traders are involved in smuggling, but also the protection of some political parties and the connivance of the police administration. A central member of a leading political party said on condition of anonymity, 'Trafficking control is not possible with the efforts of the police-administration alone. The commitment and cooperation of political parties is necessary.'

Lack of security manpower is another challenge. Lack of adequate patrolling, surveillance and information gathering in the border areas has left the security agencies vulnerable. There are about 45 Border Outposts (BOPs) of the Armed Police from Ilam to Sunsari, of which a dozen are in Jhapa. There are 10 Border Security Gulms and the process of adding new BOPs is underway at some places. However, smuggling continues. The presence of the armed police is more visible than that of the Nepal Police, and the responsibility for smuggling control is also seen more on the shoulders of the armed forces.

Smuggling from garlic to gold

Eastern ports have become smuggling routes from salt to gold. The range of smuggled goods is widening. After the government allowed the import of betel nuts from third countries, there are indications that betel nut smuggling will increase again in the near future. Even now, goods such as chickpeas, garlic, bananas, apples, lighters, and cows are regularly smuggled.

Not only grocery items, clothes, motor parts, but also animals and wildlife parts are smuggled through such checkpoints. Items such as rare turtles, spotted frogs, snakes, snake venom, and salak's skin are on the list of smuggled items.

About a week ago, the Indian Forest Department seized two kilograms of 157 grams of snake venom worth about two million Indian rupees from Subhash Chowk in Farbisganj, Bihar, India. In the investigation, it was confirmed that the poison was smuggled from Nepal.

From bones and feet of endangered wild animals, even rare herbs and plants are stolen. Himalayan herbs like jhyau, panchaule, pakhanvet, big okhati, yarsagumba have been found to be smuggled into India and third countries.

Drug trafficking has become a serious problem in Koshi province. Cannabis and hashish are sent to India from Nepal, while brown heroin enters Nepal from India. Even the home minister has admitted that drug smuggling is a big challenge.