Federal Committee Directs Government to Find Long-Term Solution to Humla-Bajura Border Dispute

Kathmandu. The Federalism Strengthening and National Concerns Committee has directed the government to find a long-term solution to the border dispute between Humla and Bajura districts.

Committee Chairperson Jayanti Devi Rai gave the directive at a meeting held on Monday. She stated that although the border dispute in the two districts appears to be temporarily calm, the problem has not been resolved in the long term.

Chairperson Rai emphasized the need to resolve the border dispute in the long term, rather than through temporary management of about three months. Rai also directed the government to provide necessary facilities, considering the geographical difficulties, food shortages, and living challenges of employees and security personnel working in remote areas, not just to assign them to work.

She concluded that coordination and continuous dialogue among the representatives of both districts, local levels, administration, and stakeholders are necessary to resolve the dispute. While commenting that the government has been making some efforts so far, she urged for more effective steps for a long-term solution. She instructed the Home Ministry to continuously work towards resolving the border dispute, increase coordination among the representatives of all three tiers of both districts, and ensure the human rights, peace, and security of local residents by mobilizing necessary manpower.

Speaking in the parliamentary committee, Chairperson Rai said, 'It is necessary to find a long-term solution to this problem rather than just resolving it for the next three months. For a long-term solution, the state must provide necessary facilities and equitable arrangements to its employees and security teams. Just telling them to go to work is not enough. The geographical conditions there, the difficulties in performing duties, food supply, and other basic needs are not the same everywhere. Therefore, these issues need special attention. However, the process of resolution should not be delayed just because these challenges exist. There are many aspects to the problems seen now, which need to be understood holistically.'

Chairperson Rai emphasized that all parties must move forward responsibly in the coming days to prevent the Humla and Bajura border dispute from becoming more complex.