13 May 2020, Kathmandu
Lawmakers have demanded with the government to address the issues of border management and to put fences in the border at the earliest.
Stating that India had repeatedly troubled Nepal due to the border issues which had raised questions over Nepal’s sovereignty time and again, they condemned the construction of a road by India by breaching Nepal’s territory in Lipulek.
In the zero hours of today’s National Assembly meeting, the parliamentarians highlighted the need for the government to resolve the border issues through diplomatic channels and not to spare even an inch while bringing back the encroached territory.
Some lawmakers pledged to donate their salaries for the fencing in the border areas. The 80-km link road was inaugurated by the Indian government last Friday through video conferencing. It originates from Ghatiabagarh in India and terminates at Lipu Lekh Pass that lies in Nepal.
The government of Nepal has already submitted a diplomatic note to India via Indian Ambassador to Nepal, voicing objection to the encroachment of Nepal’s land as well as conveying the Nepal government’s position on boundary issues.
The parliamentarians further said the Indian side had never dealt with Nepal in a friendly manner, often eyed on Nepal’s land and troubled Nepal by constructing road illegally and they urged the government to resort to other ways if need be besides political and diplomatic channels to address the issue.
Anita Devkota condemned the comment of the government that it was oblivious about the construction of a road by the Indian side in Lipulek and demanded an explanation from the government about its ignorance on the matter.
Indu Kadariya voiced to demarcate the Nepali border and put fences in the border from east to west as, according to her, India had been repeatedly troubling Nepal and encroaching the border again and again. She pledged to donate a year of her salary to the government if it is to put fences on Nepal’s border.
Udaya Sharma Poudel spoke for the need to permanently resolve the border issues.
Kabita Bogati decried the attitude of India towards Nepal and urged the government to put an end to the situation wherein every Nepali has to put on with India’s attitude. She prodded, “We should work in ‘now or never’ attitude.”
Ganga Kumari Belbase said although Kalapani River belonged to Nepal, India had created an artificial Kalapani and a pond to intrude on Nepal’s territory. She viewed that the government should not compromise at all when it comes to safeguarding Nepal’s border.
Taradevi Bhatta demanded immediate rescue of the stranded Nepalis abroad, especially in the Gulf countries. She also urged the government to make proper arrangements for the Nepalis in India.
eeKomal Oli opined that the lockdown should be properly managed given the alarmingly increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country. She also underlined the need to bring back the stranded Nepalis in Indo-Nepal border areas and quarantine them upon their return.
