COVID-19 fear fallout: Border town in Ilam deserted

The border town of Pashupatinagar used to be a bustling place until the fear of COVID-19 pandemic gripped the world. Now, this town which is a transit point on the border with India has turned into a sleepy and quiet place.

Tourists have stopped visiting this town. It is a favourite place of visit of especially the Bengali visitors. The shops in the town have closed.

Not only this town, other border towns in Ilam also have become deserted after the West Bengal state government of India sealed the border to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Pashupatinagar, Manebhanjyang, Chhabbise, Jaubari, Sandakpur and other border towns and touristic places, which used to be crowded with Indian visitors, have started to look deserted of late.

People have started returning their homes after the Government of India issued a notice to its citizens traveling in Nepal and the Nepalis visiting India to their respective countries. Following this notice, people have started returning to their homes via this transit point.

However, the Indian authorities have said the Nepalis who have gone to India via Pashupatinagar transit would be sent back to Nepal through Kakarbhitta transit point.

Chief of Nepal Police at Pashupatinagar, Ramesh Rai said high alertness has been adopted at the transit although the situation towards Nepal is safe. Seven Indians have been turned back as they were found running high fever.

Pashupatinagar Municipality mayor Rana Bahadur Rai said more than 7,000 people have been screened for COVID-19 at the ‘help desk’ set up in the municipality. The help desk came into operation from March 5.

Those people entering India are screened on the Indian side, he said.