KATHMANDU, Nov 17: Students affiliated to Nepal Student Union, a student wing of the main opposition party Nepali Congress, has staged protest against the encroachment of the Nepali border from India and China.

They gathered at Maitighar Mandala holding play cards ‘Back off India, China” and chanted slogans against the encroachment.

The entire nation has been protesting against the Indian move to include Nepali territories Kalapani and Lipulekh inside its border in its new political map released recently.

Meanwhile, after some media accused China as well of encroaching some Nepali lands, China has denied the reports as baseless.

Photo: Mukunda Kalikote

KATHMANDU, Nov 17: Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has asked India to remove its security forces from the Kalapani region.

The disputed region of Kalapani, which covers an area of 374 square km, has been controlled by the Indian border police since the 1962 Indo-China War although Nepal claims the territory as part of Darchula district based on the official map released by British East India Company after 1816 Sugauli Treaty.

Nepal has laid claim to the entire regions, including Kalapani and Lipulekh, east of Limpiadura saying Limpiadura is the origin of Mahakali river, which marks the international border. But, India claims the regions are its sovereign territory saying the Kali river is the actual boundary.

The issue of border encroachment by India gained national attention yet again after India released its political map on Oct 31 which placed the areas Kalapani and Lipulekh inside its border.

Public and the political parties have taken to streets for days now pressuring the government to safeguard Nepal’s sovereign territory. Protest and demonstration have engulfed the country against India’s new map and claim over the Nepali regions while #GoBackIndia remains the most popular hashtag in twitter.

“We cannot accept encroachment of an inch of our land. Withdraw your security force from Kalapani,” said PM Oli while addressing the first meeting of the National Youth Association, a sister wing of the ruling Nepali Communist Party.

Oli’s remarks come at a time when the main opposition party Nepali Congress is criticizing the prime minister of zipping his lip on the national issue.

“The encroachment of Nepali lands was the result of weaknesses of the previous governments. But, the incumbent government is capable of returning the Indian border police from Kalapani,” he added.

Earlier, China also urged Nepal and India to resolve the border issue through talks while denying the reports that China has also encroached Nepali lands as baseless.

KATHMANDU, Nov 11: Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokharel has urged agitating Dr. Govinda KC to break his hunger and focus on nationality saying all of his demands have been addressed.

A senior orthopedic surgeon and medical education activist, Dr. KC has been staging his 17 hunger strike in the headquarter of Dadeldhura district for the past seven days putting forth seven-point demand–which include amendment of National Medical Education Bill, refund of illegal tution fees collected by the private medical colleges, free-of-cost medicine to cancer patients and appointment of experts instead of politically affiliated persons in key university and academic positions, and transitional justice bodies.

KC has also accused the government of breaching the past agreement reached with him during his previous hunger strikes.

“I request Dr. KC to break his fast-unto-death and focus on the issue of nationality when the entire nation is centered on the debate of encroachment of Nepali territory including Kalapani and Lipulekh,” said Minister Pokharel.

The entire nation has been swept away by anger and dissatisfaction after India placed Nepali territories Kalapani and Lipulekh inside its border in its new political map released a week ago.

Nepal has objected the new Indian map saying the territories clearly belong to Nepal. But, India says the map accurately depicts the sovereign territory of India.

“Almost all of your demands have been fulfilled. Thus, cooperate the government in the implementation of the Medical Education Act,” added the minister, who also shared that the government has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the medical college owners warning them to take necessary legal action if they don’t return the additional fees collected from the students.

The supporters have expressed solidarity with Dr KC’s demands and pressed the government to fulfill his demands as his health deteriorates fast.

KC was brought to Dadeldhura hospital on Friday after his blood pressure went unstable.

KATHMANDU, Nov 10: The police have detained more than two dozens cadres of Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) led by Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’ from Maitighar Mandala while they were staging protest against the inclusion of Kalapani, Lipulekh in the new Indian political map.

The CPN, as per its announced week-long protest programs against the encroachment of Nepali territory, had taken to the streets on Sunday afternoon despite being banned by the government.

The government on March had imposed a ban on activities of Biplav group following the series of bomb blast in Kathmandu including the Nakhhu explosion in front of Ncell office that killed one and injured two.

According to the police, the Biplav cadres had gathered children from various schools in the protest programs.

KATHMANDU, Nov 10: The state affairs and good governance committee of the federal parliament has summoned Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to discuss the issues related to Nepali territory which were unilaterally placed in the new Indian political map released earlier this month.

The prime minister was invited to the meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, after the lawmakers demanded a discussion with the PM regarding the Indian map, said the committee secretariat.

The entire country has been swept by indignation after India placed the Nepali territories Kalapani and Lipulekh inside its border in its new map–released on Nov 2 to reflect the changes in the newly formed Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir Ladakh.

An all-party meeting held on Saturday has concluded that the recently released political map of India which places Nepali territories including Kalapani as unacceptable.

“We have enough historical evidences, maps and documents which prove that Kali river which originates from Limpiyadhura is the true origin of Mahakali river and Lipulekh and the territories east of the river including Kalapani are the territories of Nepal,” the Ministry of Foreign Affaris stated in a press release following the all-party meeting.

The meeting, attended by former prime ministers, political leaders of the federal parliament, ministers, former foreign affairs ministers and border experts, also suggested the government to diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue.

Prime Minister Oli has also expressed determination to make effective diplomatic efforts to resolve the issues.

However, India has asserted the new Indian map accurately depicts the sovereign territory of India.

Nepal had allowed the Indian troops to occupy some posts in Nepali land as defensive measured during the India-China War in 1962. When the war was over, India withdrew all its troops from the Nepali land expect Kalapani.

Since then Indian troops have occupied the territory.

KATHMANDU, Nov 8: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has called the all-party meeting on Saturday to discuss the disputed border issues with India.

The Prime Minister will hold meeting with former prime ministers, former foreign affairs ministers and senior leaders of various political parties regarding the border disputes with India including Kalapani and Lipulekh, said PM’s Press Advisor Dr Kundar Aryal.

After India unveiled its new political map reflecting the newly formed Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh that placed the territories of Kalapani and Lipulekh inside the Indian border, students and leaders from various political parties have intensified their protest against the encroachment of Nepali territories.

Nepal has objected to the new Indian map saying the territory “clearly” belonged to Nepal and ‘any unilateral decision to change border demarcation would be unacceptable”.

On the other hand, India has said the map has accurately depicted the sovereign territory of India while claiming the new map has not revised the boundary.

KATHMANDU, Nov 8: Students affiliated to All Nepal National Free Students Union, a sister wing of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP),  staged a demonstration outside the Indian Embassy at Lainchour in Kathmandu on Friday, protesting the inclusion of the disputed territory of Kalapani in the new political map of India released a week ago.

They chanted slogans “Kalapani belongs to us”, “Lipulekh is ours” and burned the map of India in protest against the border encroachment.

Students of Pashupati Multiple Campus also organized a protest rally demanding correction in India’s new map.

Kathmandu District Committee of Nepal Student Union, a student wing of main opposition party Nepali Congress led the rally which started from Mitrapark and ended at Pashupati Campus.

The Indian government unveiled a new Indian political map on Nov 2 reflecting the newly formed Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh following the move to rescind the special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir under the Article 370 of the Constitution of India, which also places Kalapani and Lipulekh, both claimed by Nepal, inside its border.

Nepal has objected to the new Indian map saying the territory “clearly” belonged to Nepal and ‘any unilateral decision to change border demarcation would be unacceptable”.

On the other hand, India has said the map has accurately depicted the sovereign territory of India while claiming the new map has not revised the boundary.

Photo: Riwaj Rai/Facebook

KATHMANDU, Nov 7: Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali has said that Kalapani is clearly Nepal’s territory.

The Survey General of India, on Nov 2, released a new political map reflecting the newly formed Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir Ladakh which placed the disputed area of Kalapani and Lipulekh claimed by Nepal inside its border.

“Encroachment of an inch of Nepal’s territory is not be tolerable. Kalapani is ours. If the area is placed in India’s map, this will be corrected through diplomatic efforts. Friendship is one thing, but border encroachment cannot be tolerated,” said Minister Gyawali.

The controversial Indian move to cut Kalapani and Lipulekh inside its border has faced serious objections across Nepal with student bodies and political leaders questioning the government’s resolve to defend Nepal’s territory as the government remained tightlipped even days after the release of the new map.

Following the mounting public pressure, the government made its stance on the Kalapani region clear stating the region is an integral part of Nepal and any unilateral decision to change border demarcation would be unacceptable, while calling for resolving the boundary issues through mutual consensus.

“Nepal is committed to protecting its international border,” said the Ministry of Foreign Ministry Nepal.

“Any border-related issue relating to the two friendly countries needs to be resolved through diplomatic channels on the basis of historical documents and evidence.”

“The Government of Nepal will not accept any unilateral decision,” it added.

Responding to Nepal’s reaction, Spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar, stated that Indian map has accurately depicted the sovereign territory of India while claiming the new map has not revised the boundary.

“The boundary delineation exercise with Nepal is ongoing under the existing mechanism,” he said adding that India reiterate its commitment to finding a solution through dialogue.

Earlier, Surveyor General of India Girish Kumar had insisted India had been using the same map for a few decades.

Kalapani is a part of Darchula district in Sudurpaschim province, which is occupied by Indian troops since the India-China war in 1962.

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.