In a bid to check Maoist infiltration along the India-Nepal border, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has started shifting its border outposts deep inside the dense forest areas of Shravasti and Balrampur districts.

The move comes in the wake of the June 21 incident when Maoists damaged some border pillars and hoisted their flags atop trees on the side of the Indian territory.

“The decision was taken after a group of Nepal-based Maoists intruded into the Indian territory,” DIG (Lucknow Frontier SSB Headquarters) Anil Agarwal told The Indian Express.

He added: “The SSB learnt of the incident on the following morning as the outposts in the area are currently located about five to eight kilometres away from the border. With the shifting of outposts into the forest areas, these will be only 200 to 500 metres from the border,” Agarwal said.

In a letter addressed to UP Chief Secretary Atul Kumar Gupta on August 25, Agarwal had sought help for smooth movement of the forces.

The DIG said the state government has assured them of complete assistance and the Environment department of the Centre has already given its green signal.

Agarwal said the SSB battalion in Balrampur has already started shifting its base.

The jawans will stay in tents till the outposts are set up.

“We have set December 31 as the deadline to establish nine border outposts of Shravasti and twelve of Balrampur in the forest areas,” the DIG said, while adding that this would also help the SSB conserve forests and wildlife.