In response to the escalating GenZ protests in Nepal, which have caused violent unrest and led to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and DGP Rajeev Krishna have placed all UP border districts adjoining Nepal on 24-hour high alert.
Additional police forces have been deployed, and patrolling and surveillance have been intensified to manage emergencies quickly. A special control room and helpline services have been set up to assist Indian citizens stranded in Nepal, reflecting cross-border concerns amid regional instability.
High Alert and Strengthened Border Security in Uttar Pradesh
The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered heightened security measures along its seven districts bordering Nepal, Shravasti, Balrampur, Bahraich, Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Siddharthnagar, and Maharajganj, covering extensive open borders with nearly 243 km of vulnerable frontier. Uttar Pradesh DGP Rajeev Krishna instructed police forces to maintain round-the-clock vigilance, with additional personnel deployed and augmented patrolling in place.
Surveillance efforts have been boosted to detect and prevent any infiltration or spillover of unrest. Furthermore, a special control room was established under the Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) at the Police Headquarters in Lucknow to coordinate rapid responses and helpline assistance.
Supporting Stranded Citizens and Managing Information Flow
To assist Indian citizens caught amid the Nepal crisis, the UP government launched three helpline numbers and a WhatsApp contact, operational 24×7, aimed at providing timely assistance and updates. The helplines include 0522-2390257, 0522-2724010, 9454401674, and WhatsApp at 9454401674.
The police headquarters’ social media monitoring unit actively tracks sensitive information and posts related to Nepal, aiming to curb misinformation or any communication that could destabilise public order. UP Police assured full commitment to law and order and the welfare of Indians stranded in Nepal as exchanges between the countries’ citizens remain fluid due to the open border.
Context: Nepal Protests Spark Regional Security Concerns
Nepal’s GenZ protests erupted following a government ban on 26 major social media platforms and widespread demands for accountability and an end to corruption. The situation escalated into violent confrontations with security forces, resulting in at least 19 deaths and multiple injuries, as well as substantial property damage including the burning of parliament and government buildings in Kathmandu.
Following Prime Minister Oli’s resignation, the unrest persists, causing anxiety among border states. Uttar Pradesh’s precautionary measures reflect the need to maintain peace and security amid cross-border migrant flows, trade routes, and familial connections disrupted by the ongoing turmoil.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Logical Indian advocates a measured and compassionate approach to such volatile situations, emphasising the importance of maintaining peace, addressing grievances through dialogue, and supporting humanitarian needs without fear or reactionary measures. While security must be ensured, it must not come at the cost of empathy or human rights, especially given the shared social and familial ties across the open Indo-Nepal border.
