KATHMANDU: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Bahadur Karki has said that the open border, illegal entry of foreign nationals and limited legal jurisdiction have emerged as major challenges for border security.
Addressing a meeting of the Federalism Strengthening and National Concerns Committee at Singha Durbar on Friday, IGP Karki briefed lawmakers about the challenges faced by Nepal Police in maintaining border security and controlling cross-border crimes.
According to Karki, the number of Rohingya, Pakistani and Somali nationals entering Nepal illegally through India has increased in recent times. He said some individuals from these groups, who have settled in different parts of Nepal, have been found involved in activities with security implications, including drug trafficking.
“The issue of Rohingya refugees has also emerged as a challenge in terms of border security. Those who enter Nepal from India and attempt to settle in different places are being identified, monitored and handed over to the concerned authorities. Some of them have been found involved in crimes such as drug trafficking,” Karki said.
He informed the committee that police have also been coordinating with Indian authorities regarding Nepali citizens detained by Indian police on allegations of fertilizer smuggling along the southern border. He said police-to-police coordination and diplomatic initiatives are underway and the detainees are expected to be released after completion of legal procedures.
Highlighting legal challenges, Karki said investigations into certain cross-border crimes have become difficult due to the absence of provisions allowing Nepal to exercise extraterritorial jurisdiction.
“Recently, necessary steps have been taken through police coordination and diplomatic efforts regarding Nepali citizens arrested in a fertilizer-related smuggling case along the southern border. Since Nepal’s laws do not provide extraterritorial jurisdiction for some cross-border crimes, investigation and legal action become difficult,” he said.
Karki said illegal arms trafficking, drug smuggling, transnational organized crime, cyber fraud, online scams, human trafficking, illegal foreign employment networks, banking fraud and online betting are among the major security challenges linked to open borders.
He said many citizens have lost billions of rupees due to fraud schemes, particularly those involving promises of foreign employment and banking scams conducted through one-time passwords (OTPs).
“To address these challenges, Nepal Police has been strengthening border security through regular patrols, surveillance and joint security operations, along with the use of technologies such as drones, scanners and trained K-9 units,” Karki said.
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