Indian authorities have "sealed" three border points in the eastern part of Ilam district of Nepal since Friday on the excuse of a possibility of Bhutanese refugees arriving on Indian territory en route to Bhutan, local media reported on Saturday.

According to reports by leading website eKantipur.com, thousands of locals in the eastern part of Ilam and hundreds of people visiting to and fro between Nepal and Darjeeling have been hindered by the move.

The Indian authorities issued a "border sealed" notice at Pashupatinagar check point while Indian security men deployed along the Nepal-India border have restricted free movement through Manebhanjyang and Chhabbise check points.

The Indian authorities "sealed" the check points along the Nepal-India border, saying there was possibility of Bhutanese entering Bhutan through Indian territory "one by one", said Milan KC, chief of area police office in Pashupatinagar.

Nepalis are given "permission to enter India" only after Indian officials get reliable evidence about them, KC said.

Some 106,000 Bhutanese refugees have been living in seven camps in eastern Nepal for the last 16 years.

Source: Xinhua