PM Oli vows to take back encroached territories from India

KATHMANDU, May 19: Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has vowed to take back the encroached territories Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh from India.

“India has occupied Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh. I vow to take them back,” said the prime minister responding to the parliamentarians’ concerns over the government policy and program for the upcoming fiscal year.

“These territories are not disputed because they are Nepal’s lands. We are in favor of truth and justice. We will seek a diplomatic resolution to the border dispute,” he added.

A week after India ignoring Nepal’s calls for a date for diplomatic talks opened a link road connecting Manasarovar that passes through Nepali territory of Lipulekh, Nepal on Monday passed a new political map incorporating Kapalani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh which covers the area od 395 sq km which are currently controlled by India. The territories along the north-western border have remained a bone of contention between India and Nepal for long.

Following India’s move to open the 79-kilometer long link road, which Nepal slammed as “unilateral”, the government in its annual policy and programs had committed to publishing a new map incorporating the Indian encroached territories.

“We endorsed the updated map with a determination to take back our lands. The new map will be made public in a few days,” he said.

The government will update the new Nepal map in the schedule of the constitution, coat of arms and school curriculum, and will be placed at every office.

The new map will also be tabled at the parliament for the constitution amendment.

-MOVE WELCOMED-

The government’s bold move has been most welcomed by the political parties and the public across Nepal, who have demanded a New map incorporating the encroached territories for six months, especially after India in November unveiled its new political map placing these territories inside its border.

“Thanks to the government for publishing new Nepal map including all its territories,” said Nepal Communist Party Standing Committee member Bhim Rawal, who has been a vocal critic of the ruling party.

“The government’s move to publish the map including the western border as per the Sugauli Treaty is welcome, even it came late,” said Janata Samajbadi Party leader Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai.

“The decision of the Council of Ministers to endorse the new map will go down to the golden book of history,” said NCP leader Yogesh Bhattarai.