The ruling and opposition parties alike have protested inclusion of Lipu Lekh and Kalapani of Nepal in the new political map published by India.
The ruling CPN and Socialist Party Nepal, the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC), Sajha Party Nepal and RPP have all protested the new Indian map. NC's sister organizations Nepal Tarun Dal and Nepal Students Union (NSU) and the student wing of CPN ANNFSU have planned demonstrations in Kathmandu later Wednesday protesting the Indian map.
CPN Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said inclusion of Lipe Lekh in the Indian map would not be tolerated. "I don't know the details about this. But if India has done so, that would not be tolerated at any cost," Dahal said during an interaction program with media persons in Ghorahi Dang on Wednesday. "We are not for compromise on the issue of border."
He claimed that he raised the issue with the Indian PM Narendra Modi during his India visit and demanded that be corrected. "If India has again unilaterally intervened on Lipu Lekh, that would not be accepted," he stressed and opined that the issue should be resolved diplomatically.
NC has called inclusion of Lipu Lekh and Kalapani of Nepal in the Indian map objectionable. "Our serious attention has been drawn to the map issued by Dehi. Lipu Lekh and Kalapani are our land, and our integral parts. The government should immediately make its position public and take serious initiative. Questions raised about Nepali soil from anywhere are objectionable and unacceptable," NC Spokesperson Bishwo Prakash Sharma has tweeted.
Standing committee member of ruling CPN and former home minister Bhim Rawal has also taken exception to the Indian map. "Nepal government should object to inclusion of Lipu Lekh of Nepal as Indian land in the map by Indian government. Standing committee meeting of CPN and an all-party meeting should be convened for that, and we should immediately talk through diplomatic channel," Rawal has stated.
He has stressed that safeguarding territorial integrity is paramount duty of the government.
RPP Chairman Kamal Thapa has also objected to inclusion of Nepali land in the Indian map. "Kalapani and Lipu Lekh are inseparable parts of Nepal. Nepal has been persistently protesting unilateral capture of that land by India. That part seems to be included in India in the map recently issued by India. PM should pay attention to strongly retaliate against this objectionable and unacceptable act," Thapa has tweeted.
Coordinator of Sajha Rabindra Mishra has stated that India has acted against international laws while including Nepali land in its map. "Sajha Party strongly objects to the Indian claim in its new map that Kalapani, Lipu Lekh and Limpiyadhura of Nepal are part of India. This step by the Indian government is direct violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nepal against international laws," Mishra has stated.
