Kathmandu: An “official” leaked report shows that Nepal has accused China of encroaching into the Himalayan nation’s territory. The development is expected to further fan the border strife that saw Nepal last year form a high-level panel to look into the alleged encroachments.
The Nepal government had never made the contents of the report public even though the home ministry had asked the foreign ministry to take up the issue with China on the basis of the report’s findings. According to reports from Kathmandu, China had encroached on Nepali land and built nine buildings in the district of Humla last year. A government team led by the chief district officer also conducted an on-site study.
Nepalese communications minister Gyanendra Bahadur Karki was quoted as saying that any border issue with neighbours would be dealt with diplomatically. “Either with India or with China, if there are any issues at our border we will resolve them through diplomatic means. Such problems should not arise and the Nepal government will always make efforts to prevent such situations,” he said in Kathmandu. In the report it was found that surveillance activities by Chinese security forces had restricted religious activities on the Nepalese side of the border in a place called Lalungjong. The area has traditionally been a draw for pilgrims because of its proximity to Mount Kailash, just over the border in China, which is a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The report also concluded that China had been limiting grazing by Nepalese farmers.
The Nepal government report recommended its forces be stationed in the area to guarantee security. It also suggested Nepal and China should reactivate a dormant mechanism set up to resolve these kinds of border issues.
