June 21: Police officials in Nepal and India have been suspended after 1,350 cartons of Chinese apples loaded on three Nepali trucks were seized by Indian security forces. After seizing the apples that are banned in India, it has been revealed that the apples were being smuggled to India in collusion with police.

Four Nepal border police personnel and Indian border police have been suspended after three trucks with apples were seized in Birpur, India five days ago.

Three Nepali trucks parked inside a brick kiln in Birpur, India are now under the control of the Indian SSB. A total of 34 Nepal Police personnel from the border police post and area police office, have been called to the District Police Office, Sunsari, from their workplaces on the charge of smuggling Chinese apples to India. Similarly, 15 security personnel of the Armed Police Force have been called from their workplace.

Nepal Police and APF have formed separate committees led by SSP and started investigation after the trucks reached India from Laukahi border of Sunsari under the protection of Sunsari Police.

Spokesperson and SP of provincial police office Biratnagar, Mahendra Kumar Shrestha informed that a five-member investigation committee has been formed under the coordination of SSP Rajendra Prasad Chaudhary of the Federal Police Unit Office Dharan. The investigation committee consists of DSP Laxmi Bhandari, Inspector Mohan Rayamajhi and three other junior police officers.

DIG of Armed Police Force Banshi Raj Dahal said that a three-member investigation committee has been formed under the leadership of SSP Prakash Thapa and DSP Navin Bogati of APF No.1 Brigade Headquarters, Sunsari.

“The team has started investigation on whose involvement the apples reached India from the checkpoint,” said Dahal, “Based on the report given by the investigation team, we will take appropriate action.”