India Hinders Nepal's Embankment Construction on Narayani River, Airspace Violation Reported

Kathmandu. Recently, the Indian side has been obstructing the construction of an embankment by Nepal on the eastern bank of the Narayani River in Nawalparasi West. On Jestha 18, Indian Armed Border Force (SSB) personnel entered Nepal and stopped the embankment construction.

The Irrigation and Water Resources Management Office, Chitwan, is constructing embankments in two places in Susta Rural Municipality-5. Although the construction of one embankment, 100 meters long, and another, 132 meters long, has been progressing, the Indian side has been obstructing it. The construction of the 132-meter-long embankment is stalled due to pressure from the Indian side to start construction only after discussing it at a 'higher level'. The construction of the 100-meter-long embankment has not been stopped, said Deepakraj Nepal, Chief District Officer of Nawalparasi West.

He said, 'There is no obstruction to the construction of one embankment; for the 132-meter one, they say it must be advanced only after an agreement between the two parties.'

Locals say that after Prime Minister Balendra (Balen) Shah spoke about the border dispute in Parliament, Indian Armed Border Force personnel have been entering the Nepali territory in Susta. On Jestha 29, after Indian security personnel entered Nepal, Susta residents resisted. When the SSB entered Tharu Tole in Susta Rural Municipality-5, locals raised an alarm and urged them to go back to their territory.

An official of the Armed Police working in Susta claimed that they crossed the river by coming a few meters into Nepal because they had trouble crossing the river. He said, 'Such incidents happen at the border. Sometimes we also go to India while on patrol.'

The border dispute in Susta began when the Gandak River changed its course and came towards Nepal. During the border dispute, the SSB continuously harassed the residents of Susta in that area, leading to the establishment of a Border Out Post (BOP) of the Armed Police in the area.

An official working in the No.-5 Bindhyabasini Brigade of the Armed Police in Lumbini Province said that the Indian side's proposal to discuss the construction of the 132-meter-long embankment in Susta at a higher level has been informed to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

A BOP was established in Susta in 2070 under the command of an Armed Police Inspector. A high-ranking official of the Armed Police said, 'With the establishment of the BOP, the atrocities faced by the locals from the SSB have been reduced.'

Border expert Buddhinarayan Shrestha has publicly stated that India has encroached upon 14,500 hectares of land in the Susta region.

Reacting to the incident of SSB entering Susta, Education Minister and government spokesperson Sasmita Pokharel said, 'Necessary steps will be taken.' Minister Pokharel stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will take action.

An official working in the No.-5 Bindhyabasini Brigade of the Armed Police in Lumbini Province said that the Indian side's proposal to discuss the construction of the 132-meter-long embankment in Susta at a higher level has been informed to the Ministry of Home Affairs. He said, 'They have also told us that the Indian side has informed their higher authorities. We have reported to the Home Ministry through our headquarters.'

Helicopter in Changru's Sky

An Indian security personnel's helicopter used to come to Khalanga, the headquarters of Darchula. This time, on the morning of Jestha 27 at around 10 AM, an Indian security personnel's helicopter flew towards Kalapani over Changru in Byas Rural Municipality-1.

Locals saw the helicopter flying towards Kalapani through Nepali airspace. Security personnel of the Armed Police deployed in Changru informed the local administration about it. Security sources confirmed that the helicopter carried the Director General of India's 'Indo-Tibetan Border Police' (ITBP), Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor.

Former Additional Inspector General of Armed Police Narayanbabu Thapa told Ratopati that entering another country's airspace without permission is considered 'airspace violation'. Flying a helicopter in another country's airspace beyond 'no man's land' is considered a 'security breach'.

Anil Poudel, Chief District Officer of Darchula, said that the Indian security chief's helicopter flew in Nepali airspace without permission. He said, 'It is understood that the Chief of ITBP was on the helicopter. We have verbally discussed this with the Indian side.'

CDO Poudel said that although such helicopters used to come to the Khalanga area, the headquarters, previously, they come less now. He said, 'In such incidents, we keep saying that you cannot do this.'

Former Additional Inspector General of Armed Police Narayanbabu Thapa told Ratopati that entering another country's airspace without permission is considered 'airspace violation'. Flying a helicopter in another country's airspace beyond 'no man's land' is considered a 'security breach'. He said, 'Entry without permission is not allowed. The Indian side must be made aware of this.'

It is reported that the ITBP Director General reached Kalapani via Changru. Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, and Lipulek are Nepali territories encroached upon by India, where the Indian paramilitary force 'Indo-Tibetan Border Police' is deployed. There is pressure from the streets to Parliament in Nepal to diplomatically pursue the return of those territories.

The Armed Police has proposed to give a 2% quota to border residents in recruitment to prepare border guards. That matter was proposed in the Armed Police bill that was previously sent to Parliament and returned.

According to knowledgeable individuals, there are border disputes in 71 places across 23 districts along the 1,925-kilometer border between Nepal and India, including Susta, Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, and Lipulek.

Former Inspector General of Armed Police Pushpa Ram KC told Ratopati that while the security agencies work according to their mandate at the border, diplomatic efforts are necessary to reclaim the encroached territories.

A battalion led by an SP of the Armed Police is stationed in Khalanga, Darchula. There is a company led by a DSP in Changru. Former Inspector General KC said that the security personnel deployed for border security resolve immediate field problems and report the situation. He said, 'Diplomatic efforts are essential for the long-term resolution of border disputes.'

Armed Police's Border Area Development Program

The Armed Police has proposed to give a 2% quota to border residents in recruitment to prepare border guards. That matter was proposed in the Armed Police bill that was previously sent to Parliament and returned. Armed Police officials estimate that if their own people are recruited into the Armed Police, their families and relatives will play a role in border defense. A high-ranking official of the Armed Police said, 'It will be easier to get information for the country's border defense.'

However, that bill has been returned again. The Armed Police is implementing a Border Area Development Program. Through this program, the Armed Police has been maintaining continuous interaction with the border locals by constructing necessary taps, temples, and toilets for the residents living on the border.

Former Inspector General of Armed Police Raju Aryal said, 'The Border Area Development Program was initiated with the objective of strengthening the border.'

According to Armed Police officials, the locals of Susta are very aware of border encroachment. They have been assisting the Armed Police in controlling border encroachment and illegal activities.

To coordinate on the long-standing border dispute, the Armed Police has proposed to place liaison officers at the Nepali embassies in China and India.