Patna: Bihar government has scaled up its efforts to maintain a close vigil in districts, bordering Nepal in view of Operation Sindoor as chief minister Nitish Kumar is all set to hold a high level meeting with senior administrative and police officials in Purnia on Saturday.
Bihar shares a 729-km long border with Nepal as seven districts of the state border its Himalayan neighbour. These districts are West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitmarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj. Bihar is also close to the Bangladesh border.
District magistrates and SPs of all districts bordering Nepal have been asked to keep full vigil on all important places and establishments in their respective areas. They have also been directed to check the circulation of fake news and rumours through social media and other handles.
Meanwhile, Bihar government has also cancelled leaves of all administrative and police personnel and also the disaster management department's officials. A circular issued by the general administration department directed all civil and police officials across the state to remain stationed at their respective posts "in view of the sensitive circumstances prevailing in the country."
The communication further instructed that leave applications should not be accepted "except in unavoidable circumstances." The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has also cancelled leaves of its jawans, and they are now working round-the-clock with district police teams to monitor key border regions. Officials from the Health Department have also been instructed to remain on high alert.
On the other hand, Bihar development commissioner cum disaster management department`s additional chief secretary Pratyay Amrit on Friday reviewed preparations being made to deal with any eventuality in view of escalating tension between Indian and Pakistan following Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir and subsequent Operation Sindoor.
He said that the mock drill of blackout would be conducted in the entire state and the number of civil defence volunteers would also be increased from the existing 2000 by inducting NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, scouts and guides, and ‘Aapda Mitras’. Preparations are being made as per the central government`s guidelines, he added.
