Returning home for Dashain, only to face trouble at the border
Summary
Thousands of Nepali migrant workers are returning from India for Dashain, but many are facing inflated fares and harassment at border crossings in Nepalgunj, Kailali and Kanchanpur. Police have set up assistance desks and increased surveillance to protect travellers from fraud and ensure safe passage home.
Key Points
- Nepali migrant workers are pouring back through the Jamunaha, Gauriphanta and Gaddachauki crossings ahead of Dashain.
- Many travellers say auto-rickshaw drivers are charging arbitrary fares and sometimes leaving passengers stranded midway.
- Police have deployed assistance desks and additional monitoring to curb overcharging, robbery and fraud at the border.
- Officials say more than 50,000 Nepalis returned through Jamunaha in the past five days, with about 10,000 crossing daily.
