Patna: The Bihar government has ordered the immediate removal of all remaining encroachments from the India-Nepal border and ‘No Man’s Land’ areas while directing stricter monitoring of suspicious financial and commercial activities in border districts.
The directives were issued during a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, who assessed security, administrative and economic issues along the 735-kilometre India-Nepal international border passing through Bihar.
Focus on Border Security
The international border in Bihar covers seven districts—West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj—as well as the Bagaha police district.
Border security is maintained through 70 Bihar Police stations and 194 Border Outposts (BOPs) of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). The review examined issues including encroachment removal, restoration of missing border pillars, strengthening of border infrastructure and surveillance of financial activities.
Nearly All Encroachments Cleared
Officials informed the meeting that 1,359 encroachments had been identified in ‘No Man’s Land’ areas along the border. Of these, 1,349 have been removed, leaving only 10 pending cases.
West Champaran, Madhubani and Araria reported complete removal of identified encroachments. East Champaran has two pending cases, Sitamarhi six, Supaul one and Kishanganj one.
The Chief Secretary directed district authorities to independently verify reports of encroachment within the 0–15 km border zone and ensure that no fresh encroachments emerge.
Government Land Encroachments Under Review
The review also covered encroachments on government land within a 15-kilometre radius of the border.
Out of 996 identified cases, authorities have removed 879 encroachments, while action is continuing in the remaining 117 cases.
Concern Over Missing Border Pillars
The meeting reviewed the work of the Field Survey Team responsible for repairing and maintaining border pillars.
Of the 5,343 pillars along the India-Nepal border, 3,771 are reported to be in good condition. Officials said 317 pillars are damaged, 1,155 are categorised as missing and 100 have yet to be constructed.
SSB Infrastructure in Valmiki Reserve
The government also reviewed forest clearance issues linked to infrastructure development at 29 SSB Border Outposts located within the Valmiki National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in West Champaran.
According to the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, 17 of these outposts fall within the core zone while the remaining are situated in the buffer zone.
Officials said construction activities would remain restricted to areas where forest clearance has been granted. SSB personnel will continue regular patrolling within the Valmiki Tiger Reserve area.
Suspicious Businesses Identified
District administrations and SSB units have conducted inspections of hundreds of commercial establishments across border districts.
In Sitamarhi, 28 of 159 inspected establishments were found to be suspicious. Authorities also identified 21 suspicious establishments in Kishanganj, nine in West Champaran, six each in Madhubani and Supaul, and five each in Araria and East Champaran.
Further investigations and legal action are underway.
Financial Surveillance Strengthened
The review highlighted cases of suspected financial irregularities and foreign investments in Araria district. These matters have been referred to the Director of Income Tax (Investigation), Bihar, for further inquiry.
Banks have been directed to ensure timely submission of Currency Transaction Reports (CTR), Suspicious Transaction Reports (STR), Counterfeit Currency Reports (CCR) and Fake Note Reports (FNV) to the Financial Intelligence Unit and the Reserve Bank of India.
Authorities have also mandated C-KYC verification for customers and police verification of bank employees in border districts in line with RBI guidelines.
Of the 1,292 bank branches located along the border, counterfeit currency detection machines have been installed in 1,259 branches.
Crackdown on Mule Accounts
The government reported action against bank accounts allegedly used in cyber fraud and financial crimes.
In Bettiah, 78 accounts were frozen and five FIRs registered. In Bagaha, authorities registered four cases and arrested 13 people following verification of 18 suspected mule accounts.
Across other border districts, 33 cases have been registered and 148 accounts frozen.
Officials said fraudsters were targeting Indian citizens through schemes involving online trading, investment promises and employment offers.
Coordination Emphasised
Concluding the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed District Magistrates, Superintendents of Police and security agencies to work in close coordination to ensure effective border management and prevent activities linked to anti-national and anti-social elements.
