Mugu Youth Protest Lack of Effective Internet and Mobile Service, Present Concerns to Minister

Youth from Mugu have drawn the government's attention to the fact that effective internet and mobile services have still not reached remote areas, and this issue was not mentioned in the government's 100 policies and programs.

The Mugu youth team, led by Ashish Devkota, met with Information and Communications Technology Minister Vikram Timalsina and presented the district's actual situation, geographical challenges, and positive suggestions including solutions.

According to the data presented, only 12 out of the 24 telecom towers in Mugu district are operational, while citizens in the remaining locations still rely on weak or no network coverage. Limited coverage has reached only about 30 out of 45 wards, and effective internet access is less than 5 percent, which is noted as being lower than the South African nation of Somalia. With a population of over 64,000, internet users in the district are extremely low, and many citizens remain deprived of digital services.

In this context, the memorandum submitted by the youth to the ministry stated that about 95 percent of Mugu's citizens are deprived of reliable internet service, government information does not reach the villages, and Karnali has not been given adequate priority for service expansion. They complained that this has led to the migration of 605 citizens from villages to urban areas, and if the government does not adopt some measures soon, the villages will become empty. They mentioned the compulsion in some places to climb hills to get a mobile signal and demanded immediate improvement.

During the meeting, the youth symbolically gifted an old Nokia mobile phone to the minister, but Minister Timalsina refused the gift. This incident highlighted the youth's dissatisfaction with the digital disparity in remote areas.

The youth accused the state of repeatedly neglecting Karnali, comparing Mugu's situation with international contexts. They urged that Mugu and other remote districts be prioritized in upcoming plans and programs.

In response, Minister Timalsina informed them that 4G service is currently operational through about 1200 towers nationwide and that the process for constructing an additional 3000 towers has been initiated. He committed to prioritizing service expansion in Karnali Province. The youth demanded swift service expansion in the remaining areas.

Furthermore, it was reported that the prohibition on the youth taking videos and photos during the meeting with the minister caused some tension for a while.

The youth emphasized that they have previously submitted memorandums to various government ministers and stressed that implementation must be swift, not just planning. They demanded that the government expand dual services to all wards, upgrade towers, and arrange special budgets for remote areas.

Locals in Solu, Mugum Karmarong, Khatyand Rural Municipalities, and Chhayanath-Rara Municipality in Mugu district expect quick improvements as telecommunication services remain weak. In response, the minister committed to providing quality service nationwide within six months.