Uttarakhand, India – Startling revelations have emerged regarding several individuals residing along the international border in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts of Uttarakhand, as authorities uncover instances of dual citizenship, holding both Indian and Nepalese citizenship.
“We have found such cases in Pithoragarh’s Jhulaghat and some areas of Champawat district on the Indo-Nepal border. The district administrations concerned have been informed about this,” stated D.N. Bhombe, Deputy Inspector General, Almora region of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
The SSB, responsible for guarding India’s borders, is actively engaged in identifying individuals who hold dual citizenship. In pursuit of this mission, personnel deployed at the 54 border outposts in Uttarakhand are collaborating with district administrations.
Pithoragarh Deputy District Magistrate Anil Kumar Shukla distinguished two categories of Nepalese individuals residing in India. The first category comprises women who married and moved to India, but neither renounced their Nepalese citizenship nor acquired Indian citizenship.
The second category includes families who migrated from Nepal to India and settled in the country without acquiring Indian citizenship. In some cases, these individuals fraudulently obtained Indian identity documents such as Aadhaar cards and voter ID cards. The authorities have taken prompt action by canceling such fraudulent documents.
Bhombe emphasized the multifaceted nature of border security concerns, revealing that the SSB is not only focused on preventing human trafficking but is also intensifying efforts to combat smuggling activities involving wildlife body parts and drugs. Special teams have been formed for these purposes.
To enhance vigilance along the border, SSB personnel maintain close contact with villagers residing in the border areas, gathering vital information about the presence of any outsiders. This proactive approach ensures the security of India’s borders and the integrity of its citizenship regulations. As investigations continue, authorities are expected to take appropriate actions to address these dual citizenship issues.
