By Matters India reporter
Siliguri, September 10, 2025 — The political upheaval in Nepal, which has seen the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and widespread protests, is causing a ripple effect in neighboring India, particularly in the Darjeeling hills.
With a porous border and deep cultural ties, residents of Darjeeling are grappling with heightened anxiety and disruption as security is tightened and communication channels are severed.
The unrest, sparked by a government-imposed social media ban and fueled by public outrage over corruption, has led to a major security alert along the India-Nepal border at Panitanki in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district.
Senior police officials and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel have been deployed to the border, intensifying patrols and checks.
“A police post has been set up here with deployment of force. We are in alert mode and monitoring the situation with the help of security agencies and the Nepal police,” said Superintendent of Police Praveen Prakash a
addressing the media.
The security measures are preventive, aiming to ensure no anti-social elements cross the border.
The situation has caused significant disruption to daily life and commerce. Vehicle movement and trade have been halted, leaving hundreds of trucks and tourists stranded on the Indian side of the border. Flights to and from Kathmandu have been suspended by airlines such as IndiGo and Air India, forcing many travelers to opt for alternative arrangements or refunds.
For the residents of Darjeeling and its surrounding areas, the distress goes far beyond logistical problems. Many have family and friends in Nepal, and the government’s social media ban has created an agonising communication blackout.
A middle-aged hotelier from Darjeeling, whose brother and nephews live in Kathmandu, described the ordeal. “We were always in touch through social media, but the ban has hit us hard, especially today as the protests turned violent. Despite repeated attempts, I couldn’t get through, and my anxiety only grew.”
Another Darjeeling resident, Bikram Pradhan, whose sister lives in Kathmandu, shared a similar experience. “Each time we tried calling, it was just a beep, and our anxiety grew as the unrest intensified. My father kept urging me to get in touch with her, wanting to hear her voice.”
The humanitarian aspect of the crisis is also visible at the border. Indian nationals returning from Nepal have expressed immense relief upon reaching home. An Indian tourist from Assam, returning from Nepal, told reporters at the border, “The situation is out of control there… It feels good to be back.”
As Nepal faces a power vacuum following the resignation of its prime minister and president, Darjeeling remains on high alert. While the situation is being managed on the Indian side, the hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the crisis in Nepal is a sentiment echoed by officials and common citizens alike, as they anxiously await normalcy to be restored to their neighbor and loved ones.