A report prepared by a Study Team commissioned by the government to conduct an on-site study of the Nepal-China border has provided concrete evidence of China’s encroachment upon Nepal’s territory in various locations.
The Committee members conducted an extensive study of the border area and border pillars from August 19 to 25, 2020, spanning Limi Lapcha to Hilsa, according to the report obtained by Khabarhub.
After conducting an extensive study, the Committee has determined that the Chinese side has erected structures on Nepali territory in Humla and has actively engaged in multiple forms of obstruction.
The 58-page report submitted to the government in 2078 BS (two years ago) but has been kept under wraps, emphasizes the need to activate the Joint Inspection Teams, Joint Expert Groups, and Joint Inspection Committee mechanisms under such circumstances in situations where problems arise on the border or other issues occur.
However, the government appears to be disregarding the report, choosing to believe China’s denial of any encroachment on Nepali land.
This, as border experts and political analysts, believe will “significantly strain” relations between the two neighbors in the long run as they emphasize finding a resolution to this issue without any further delay to avoid exacerbation of tensions.
A committee, under the leadership of Joint Secretary Jay Narayan Acharya from the Ministry of Home Affairs, was formed by the then government led by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to investigate the border issue from Limi-Lapcha to Hilsa in Humla, along the Nepal-China border. The committee prepared and subsequently submitted its report to the government.
The Committee consisted of the Deputy Director General of the Survey Department, Sushil Dangol; Senior Superintendent of Police, Umesh Raj Joshi; Senior Superintendent of Armed Police, Pradeep Kumar Pal; and Joint Director at the National Investigation Department, Kishor Kumar Shrestha.
“The Chinese side has constructed structures on Nepali land in Humla and engaged in various forms of obstruction,” the report mentions several times.
In their comprehensive report, the Committee on page 36 recommended that the government initiate immediate talks with China to address and resolve the border dispute.
Despite two years having passed since the submission of the Committee’s report, the government has not taken any action regarding its findings.
Furthermore, the report, which remains undisclosed to the public, highlights numerous issues with China in the Humla region and provides suggested solutions.
The Committee has concluded that the Chinese side is engaged in the construction of structures on Nepali land in Humla, along with various forms of obstruction.
“There has been a significant policy-level challenge in resolving the border disputes with China,” emphasized Hemanta Sedhain, a renowned border expert.
Talking to Khabarhub, Sedhain underscored the imperative of initiating a united diplomatic endeavor to address the issue effectively.
However, Sedhain is of the opinion that China has encroached upon approximately 621 hectares of land along Nepal’s northern border, which is equivalent to 1,000 bigahas and 13,000 ropanis.
Sedhain said China has encroached upon four hectares of Nepal’s land in Humla’s Furang Bhangdhare, seven hectares in Thorang Khola, two hectares in Subjel Khola and three hectares in Jambu Khola of Rasuwa, three hectares in Kharane Khola of Sindhupalchowk, nine hectares in Sumajuga Khola in Sankhusabha, among other places.
“Nepal strongly rejects any encroachment upon its territory,” expressed Jeewan Bahadur Shahi, a Nepali Congress leader and lawmaker at the Karnali Province Assembly, in a conversation with Khabarhub.
His remarks emphasize the firm stance against any infringement on Nepal’s territorial integrity.
In July 2021, Shahi, accompanied by other leaders, conducted an on-the-spot inspection of the Nepali land in Humla that was encroached upon by China.
This visit was aimed to assess the situation firsthand and gather evidence regarding the encroachment for further action and advocacy.
The team, under the leadership of NC leader Shahi, conducted an inspection of the disputed area along the Nepal-China border approximately 10 months after the issue of China’s encroachment on Nepali land in the Lalungjong area of Limi Lapcha first emerged.
This inspection aimed to assess the situation and gather information regarding the encroachment, shedding light on the ongoing border dispute.
In September 2020, Shahi publicly released a report based on an on-site monitoring visit conducted by his team in the Lalungjong, Hilsa, and Keet areas.
During this visit, Shahi’s team inspected several boundary pillars, including pillar 12 in Lapcha, as well as pillars 9 (1), 8 (1), 7 (1), 7 (1), 5 (1), and 5 (2) in Hilsa.
The government-commissioned report aimed to document and highlighted the specific areas of concern along the border and sheds light on the situation for further action and resolution of the border dispute.
Talking to Khabarhub, Shahi emphasized the urgent need for resolving the border disputes, condemning China for encroaching upon Nepal’s territory.
He underscored the importance of prompt resolution to address the territorial issues between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the recent report prepared by the government’s Committee also underscored the need for urgent dialogue with China to address the situation.
Regrettably, the Nepal government has not demonstrated any willingness to implement the recommendations put forth in the report.
“The indifference exhibited by the Nepal government is truly disheartening,” Sedhain expressed, reiterating his previous statement.
He further commented, “Both the Department of Survey and the government as a whole appear to show minimal concern in addressing this pressing issue.”
Sedhain pointed out that the government has failed to establish a dedicated team for conducting negotiations with the Chinese side concerning the issue.
The Committee members conducted an extensive study of the border area and border pillars from August 19 to 25, 2020, spanning Limi Lapcha to Hilsa.
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