Free-for-all: A pillar stands on the encroached land on India-Nepal border. Picture by Jai Prakash

Motihari, Nov. 29: The no-man’s-land near India-Nepal border at Adapur has become a free-for-all space with citizens of both the countries encroaching on it to cultivate grains for their personal use.

Sashatra Seema Bal inspector and Beldarwa camp in-charge Sitaram Sharma said the administration has not made any efforts to check residents who have started cultivating the no-man’s land for their personal gains.

The administration of either country is not bothered about the encroachment or the uprooted pillar that lies limp at the place that once marked the international border.

A resident of Adapur said Raxaul sub-divisional magistrates and deputy magistrates of East Champaran have reported such cases of encroachment to the Centre since 2001 but to no avail.

The resident also said that an area of about 12 acres in the no-man’s land under Adapur block had been encroached. Adapur circle officer Ajai Kumar Mishra told The Telegraph that the lands could not be measured since there were no government employees to carry out the process.

Adapur station house officer T.K. Mishra said he knew about the situation but refused to comment further as it was a matter of international significance.

Kumar said the halka karmchari — government employee responsible for collecting taxes — has been instructed to prepare a list of encroachers and that strict action would be initiated against them. Most of the encroachers are Nepali citizens, added Kumar.

Raxaul sub-divisional manager Jitendra Sah said the matter had been reported to the district administration and the Centre. Any action against the encroachers could be initiated only after instructions from higher authorities.

A local said the administration had been alarmed over the issue when, a few days ago, a Nepali citizen Gani Miya, a resident of Basantpur under Bara district of Nepal, uprooted pillar no. 382/18 from the border and moved it within 20ft of the Indian border.