Chief District Officer (CDO) of Darchula Sharad Kumar Pokharel has responded to Deputy Magistrate of Dharchula district in India that it is normal for Nepalis to travel to Nepali territory of Gunji, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura.
Deputy Magistrate of Dharchula Anil Kumar Shukla had written to the District Administration Office, Darchula to stop what he called illegal entry of Nepalis to the areas including Gunji, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura.
"It is clear from Article 5 of the Sugauli Treaty of 1816 and subsequent maps and facts and evidence that Kali river and areas including Limpiyadhura, Nabi, Kuti, Gunji, Kalapani and Lipu Lekh are Nepali territory. We inform that the Nepal Government believes that travel of Nepalis in the mentioned areas is normal and should not be obstructed as the areas belong to Nepal," the letter reads.
CDO Pokharel had written to the Home Ministry after receiving the Indian letter urging to stop travel of Nepalis to the areas. "I have written to India after the answer came yesterday evening," he told Setopati.
The Indian letter pointed that some groups are trying to clandestinely cross the border and illegally enter Gunji, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura to draw media attention and to bother administrations of both the countries. "You are, therefore, requested to take trouble to immediately inform if you receive any information of such kinds," the letter stated.
The border dispute between Nepal and India has escalated after India issued a new political map in November 2019 including Nepali territory of Kalapani, Lipu Lek and Limpiyadhura.
The Nepal Government on May 18 passed the new map including Kalapani, Lipu Lekh and Limpiyadhura after inauguration of the Indian road via Lipu Lekh on May 8. The House then unanimously passed a Constitution amendment bill in June to implement the new map.
