CPN lawmaker Dina Nath Sharma has said India should return Darjeeling to Nepal.
"If India considers Nepal to be a good friend, India should return the land robbed by the British from Nepal now that the British have left," Sharma said during the clause-wise discussion in the National Assembly on the Constitution amendment bill to implement the new map including areas of Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipu Lekh on Thursday. "India should return Darjeeling to us with pride. It should return the territory up to Kangadi saying this is your territory looted by the British."
He reminded that Nepal allowed Indian military posts in Kalapani and other areas considering India to be a friend. "Nepal granted permission to keep military posts in the northern border. But can those who came as a guest say they will not leave pointing they find the house and garden beautiful?"
He urged everyone to come together on the issue of nationalism and take back the encroached land. "The Indian Army is staying in Nepali territory. They must return back," he stressed. "No imperialist boot can desecrate our territory. The Indian friends must respect the Nepalis. Nepal was waiting for return of the Indian Army but they included the Nepali territory in their map, and claimed sovereignty over the land. It is a matter of sadness."
He claimed that the Indian Army and rulers have been illegally holding the Nepali territory of Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipu Lekh despite the Indian people not staking a claim over the territory. "Indian leaders should return the land they included in their map. The friendship between Nepalis and Indians is centuries old. We don't want to ruin the friendship."
He opined that the border dispute should be resolved through dialogue.
