Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Ishwor Pokharel has reaffirmed that any land belonging to Nepal and encroached by any countries will be taken back.
Inaugurating the Sudurpaschim Tourism and Trade Fair and Darchula Festival-2076 BS in Darchula district on Sunday, DPM Pokharel said that the government of Nepal had made diplomatic efforts to bring back the Nepal’s territories such as Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura after the government of India incorporated them in its political map.
"Neither do we spare an inch of our land nor do we take over others’. We will not allow others to encroach our land," reiterated Pokharel, adding, "Land encroachment is not tolerated at all and we will not tolerate any such act."
According to him, he was going to make an on-site visit to Changgaru Tinkar in Byas Municipality and Kalapani area, the latter which has been intruded by India.
Informing that the KP Oli-led government had sent a diplomatic note to government of India surrounding the border dispute, the DPM reassured the public, "We will not rest until Nepal’s encroached land is retrieved."
Stating that the incumbent government was very clear about safeguarding the borders of our country and he clarified that the government will not allow to lose the nation’s pride.
According to him, the issues surrounding Nepal’s territories such as Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura was the common concern of all the political parties in the country.
On a different note, he shared that preparation to operate the underconstruction-425-km Tinkar road Section through Nepal Army was in the final stage. The road section links Byas Municipality in Darchula district to Tibet in China.
He attributed the relentless efforts of parliamentarian Ganesh Singh Thagunna and other leaders for the construction of this road section gaining a momentum as the Nepal Army stepped into its construction process.
Nepal Army has been tasked to open 87-km of track of this road section.
During his on-site visit to Kalapani Area, according to him, he will also look into the prospects of deploying the Armed Police Force, Nepal in the Kalapani Area. "A police post will be set up at Tinkar very soon, he added.
He pledged that Darchula’s representation would be soon ensured in the federal government.
The festival is organized by the Darchula Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It is expected to promote the local tourism as well as the local produces that Darchula boasts of. It will run through February 24, informed Darchula Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s President Mangal Singh Thagunna.