Susta residents object after Indian border force enters Nepali territory

Residents of Susta in Nepal confronted Indian border force personnel who entered Nepali territory on Friday morning, leading to a brief standoff before the Indian side withdrew. The incident occurred around 7:00 am in Tharu Tol, Susta Rural Municipality-5, when locals working in nearby fields questioned the presence of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel and asked them to return to their side of the border.

“

However, Nepali security personnel reached the site immediately, and the situation in Susta is now normal.

The SSB personnel retreated to Indian territory following a brief verbal exchange. The area has been tense since May 31, when SSB personnel entered and objected to embankment construction work along the Narayani River. The chief district officer of Nawalparasi West, Deepak Raj Ghimire, explained that the Indian patrol had crossed into Nepali territory while attempting to bypass a waterlogged section near the border. Nepali security personnel responded immediately, and the situation is now reported as normal.

Rabindra Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Save Susta Campaign, noted that the dispute arose after locals spotted the Indian security personnel inside Nepali territory. The issue was reportedly resolved through coordination between security forces from both countries. Susta is a long-standing sensitive border area, with local residents alleging that shifts in the Narayani River and the absence of official boundary markers facilitate Indian encroachment. Estimates suggest that of Susta's 40,980 hectares, around 14,000 hectares are under Indian occupation, with another 19,480 hectares disputed, preventing cultivation by locals on much of the land.

“

the dispute arose after locals spotted Indian security personnel inside Nepali territory and asked them not to enter the area.

Despite the presence of 16 border pillars between Sanahi and Kudiya, a significant stretch in Susta lacks official markers. Residents often rely on natural landmarks, leading to land use disputes. The recent incident follows a statement by Prime Minister Balendra Shah on May 31, who acknowledged border encroachment issues on both sides and called for bilateral discussions.

“

After becoming prime minister, I came to know that not only has India encroached on Nepal’s land, but Nepal has also encroached on India’s land in multiple places. Both sides need to sit down and look into the matter.