Security Forces Maintain Vigilance in Extreme Cold at Nepal-China Border in Darchula

Even amidst the harsh winter, security personnel patrolling with arms remain continuously active to secure the nation's borders. Advancing by sinking boots into heavy snow is not easy. Every step is fraught with risk. Their movement does not stop despite slippery ground, the possibility of avalanches, and near-zero temperatures.

The Armed Police Force Nepal No. 50 Battalion in Chhangru, Byas Rural Municipality-1, Darchula, is completely covered in snow. The daily routine of the security personnel continues amidst snow-covered mountains all around, a frozen courtyard, and snow-laden roofs. The temperature in this area ranges from minus 6 to 23 degrees Celsius. Currently, about one and a half feet of snow has accumulated around the battalion post. The entire village is deserted. It snows as soon as clouds gather. Tall mountains surround them, distant Himalayan peaks gleam, and the cold wind blows. This is not a scene from an adventure trip; this is the daily life of security personnel deployed on the Himalayan border. The Armed Police are deployed for border security in such cold, disregarding their lives.

With the cold and snowfall, the water supply pipes have been completely frozen for a month.

Funnindra Shahi, the Battalion Commander of Armed Police Force Nepal No. 50, stated that since water stopped flowing in the pipes, they have been using water from the Tinkar River. "Since the pipe water froze, we are drinking water from the river. The river is close to the battalion post. In this cold, there is no other option but to bring river water, boil it, and drink it, or melt the snow. Warming themselves by the fire inside the battalion post is their regular activity. When the temperature drops below zero, there is a risk of hands and feet becoming numb. Despite this, the Armed Police's border patrol has not stopped," he said.

Security personnel, led by Police Deputy Superintendent Funindra Shahi and Armed Police Inspector Shailendra Chaisir, monitor the border area daily, risking their lives. Deputy Superintendent Shahi says, "This is a sensitive area. We are deployed for the security of the tri-junction border. Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura fall in this area. Nepal-China Border Pillar Number 1 is also here." Fulfilling the responsibility given by the nation, being on regular duty in the cold seems normal to them.

The lack of road transport and infrastructure remains a major challenge in remote Himalayan areas like Chhangru. Not only the locals but also the security personnel deployed here are deprived of basic facilities. There is still dependence on India even for bringing rations. Roads have not been built on the Nepali side. The Nepali Army is constructing a road connecting Byas-4 Tusharpani to Chhangru under the Darchula-Tinkar road project. On the Nepali side, road construction has currently reached above Dumling.

Although there is a road in the Indian sector, it is currently blocked due to snowfall. India has extended the road up to Kalapani Lipulekh. Regular traffic has been disrupted in this area for the past month due to snowfall and ice. However, rations are regularly transported to Indian security personnel via helicopter. Two helicopters deliver supplies daily to the Kalapani area. They have heaters, warm clothing, and weather-appropriate facilities in their barracks, but there is no road on the Nepali side. Although the foot trail is operational, it is currently closed due to snowfall.

The Armed Police depend on the rations transported before the snow started. Security personnel are suffering due to the lack of paths for even normal movement. DSP Shahi says, "We are continuously trying to clear the snow to open the path to Budhi Dopkhe." The Armed Police have been continuously patrolling from Chhangru towards the Gaga area. When there was less snow, regular patrols used to go up to the Kalapani source, but currently, it is impossible to reach the upper areas due to the thick accumulation of snow. The relationship between the security forces on both the Nepal-India sides is cordial. While there are loud slogans about Kalapani Lipulekh at the center, the security personnel living on the border exchange information about border crimes and meet regularly.

Last month, the Armed Police BOP stationed at Tinkar in Byas was relocated. Security personnel were moved down because Tinkar receives double the snowfall compared to Chhangru. This BOP used to patrol the border area with China. The BOP in Tinkar was established only a year ago.

Since the beginning of Mangsir (mid-November to mid-December), the village of Tinkar has been completely deserted. Tinkar is the last village connected to the China border. Nepal-China Border Pillar Number One is located here. However, some families still reside in Chhangru. According to Ashok Singh Bohara, the Ward Chairman of Ward No. 1, Raisingh Aitwal has been given the responsibility of a caretaker to look after the village. The ward has kept him on a monthly salary of NPR 15,000 for six months to prevent incidents like theft and smuggling. This village, connected to India, is located about 10 kilometers below Kalapani.

Even in this snow-covered condition, the morale of the security personnel has not weakened. Guarding the border while warming themselves by the fire inside the snow-covered battalion post has become not just a duty but a matter of pride for them. DSP Shahi says, "This is the responsibility given by the nation. We also hold counterpart meetings at least twice a month."

On Jestha 7, 2077 BS (May 20, 2020), the government issued a new map incorporating the territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura, which India had encroached upon. Following this, on Ashar 29 (July 14), the Council of Ministers decided to establish a battalion post. The No. 50 Battalion was formally established in Chhangru on Ashoj 9 (September 25).

Armed Police Watch from Terai Plains to the Himalayas

The Armed Police Force has recently expanded its patrol and security presence from Lali, Lekam Rural Municipality-3, Darchula, up to the India-China border at Byas Rural Municipality-1, Tinkar. Until 2077 BS, the Armed Police, confined to the district headquarters Khalanga, have now spread from Lali in Lekam to Tinkar in Byas. Units were added to the border area following the publication of the new map.

The government established the No. 44 Battalion in Khalanga and relocated the No. 50 Battalion stationed there to the Chhangru-Gaga area in Byas. Darchula has 10 border crossings connecting Nepal and India. Border crossings connecting Nepal and India are located in Khalanga, Ward No. 4, Mahakali Municipality; Dattu, Ward No. 9; Joljibi, Malikarjun Rural Municipality-7; Baku, Ward No. 6; and Lali, Lekam Rural Municipality-3.

Similarly, border points connecting the two countries are located at Sitapul, Byas Rural Municipality-1; Mal, Ward No. 2; Sunsera Malghatte, Ward No. 4; Tigram, Ward No. 5; and Badugaun, Ward No. 6. Among these, a wooden bridge is placed over the Mahakali River at Sitapul, Byas Rural Municipality-1, while suspension bridges have been built at all other locations.

A BOP of the Armed Police Force has been established at Chhiyale, Byas-1, targeting Tinkar Bhanjyang, which connects to China. According to Gunaraj Neupane, the Commandant of the No. 44 Battalion, security units have been mobilized to cover the 10 Indian border crossings and the Tinkar crossing with China. A proposed border security battalion is currently operational at Joljibi in the border area, and BOPs have been established at Dattu and Lali. Under the No. 50 Battalion in Chhangru, BOPs at Tinkar, Chhiyale, and Dumling in Rapla are operational.

According to the Armed Police, Darchula has a 198-kilometer border line with India and a 75-kilometer border line with China.