Summary:
India briefly closes Nepal-India border bridge in Darchula without prior notice

• On Monday, Indian authorities unilaterally closed the footbridge at the Nepal-India border in Darchula for about two hours starting at 11:06 AM, cutting off a key cross-border access point.
• The closure was done without any prior official communication or written notice to Nepali authorities.
• The Chief District Officer of Darchula, Anil Paudel, stated that informal talks had assured the bridge would remain open, but Indian security forces closed it under pressure from local Indian populations.
• The closure is linked to a recent murder incident. On June 7, Kamlesh Lanu was stabbed to death in Dharchula Bazar on the Indian side opposite Nepal’s Khalanga.
• Indian locals across the bridge demanded the arrest of the murder suspects and declared a shutdown of the market until the suspects are arrested.
• Several organizations submitted a memorandum to Indian authorities demanding the arrest of those involved. The victim’s family has filed an FIR against three suspects believed to have crossed into Nepal.
• The incident exposed vulnerabilities in Nepal’s border administration as the closure stranded Nepali citizens in India and prevented Indian nationals from returning to Nepal.
• Border bridges are intended to facilitate smooth cross-border movement through cooperation, but recent events have caused disruptions.

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