‘Go Back India’: Political parties and students strenuously protest border dispute

KATHMANDU, Nov 6: Student wings affiliated to the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) and the main opposition party Nepali Congress (NC) staged a mass demonstration in the capital after the Indian government drew the Nepali lands Kalapani and Lipulek inside its territory.

After ending the autonomy of disputed Kashmir through abrogation of Article 370 in August, the Survey General of India, on Nov 2, released a new political map of the newly formed Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir Ladakh which placed the regions Kalapani and Lipu Lekh claimed by Nepal inside its border.

Kalapani is Nepal administered and is a part of the Darchula district in Sudurpaschim Province, while Lipulek pass lies in the border between Uttarakhand and Tibet region.

Kalapani is an integral part of Nepal but India security troops have occupied the area since the Sino-Indian war of 1962.

Nepal had allowed Indian troops to occupy some posts in Nepali land as defensive measures during the war. However, after the end of the war, India withdrew all its troops except Kalapani.

The southern side of the pass is also claimed by Nepal though India controls the region.

Flex banners that read “Go Back India. Kalapani, Lipulek, and Limpiadhura belong to Nepal” and slogans condemning Indian imperialism filled the streets of Bhrikutimandap.

Earlier, Nepal Tarun Dal, a youth wing of the NC, issued a press release condemning the Indian move to include Nepali lands inside its border while urging the Nepal government to make efforts to correct the map through diplomatic channels.

The Youth wing also expressed dissatisfaction over the NCP Chair K P Sharma Oli-led government’s silence over the issue even after days of the release of the new political map of India.

Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chair Kamal Thapa also denounced the Indian move as “objectionable” and “unacceptable”.

Nepal Workers Peasants Party (NWPP) also organized a mass rally in Bhaktapur protesting India’s imperialism and border encroachment.

Sajha Party, Bibeksheel Nepal and Nepal Communist Party led by Rish Kattel have expressed strong reservations over the Indian political map.

Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal has also announced a week-long protest against the Indian move.