The District Administration Office has closed the international border checkpoints along the Nepal–India border for 72 hours starting from midnight Monday, targeting the upcoming House of Representatives election.
According to Assistant Chief District Officer Binod Kumar Pokharel of Parsa District, the border points connecting Parsa with India’s Bihar — specifically the districts of East Champaran and West Champaran — have been sealed considering election security.
“The decision has been made to close the border from 12:00 midnight on Falgun 18 until 12:00 midnight on Falgun 21,” he said, adding that both countries traditionally shut down border points for 72 hours during elections.
Pokharel also urged the public to celebrate the Holi festival in the Terai-Madhes region in a harmonious and election-friendly manner on Falgun 19. He requested people to refrain from creating crowds in public places, making unnecessary noise, forcibly applying colors, consuming alcohol in a way that disturbs social harmony, and wearing clothes bearing the flags or election symbols of any political party or candidate during the festival.
The notice further states that due to a rise in motorcycle accidents during Holi in previous years, celebrating Holi using motorcycles has been prohibited on Falgun 20.
Additionally, from Falgun 19 until the announcement of election results, all forms of political campaigning, rallies, and the use of loud musical instruments causing noise pollution at religious, cultural, and social events have been banned across the district, the administration said.
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