Kathmandu, May 11
In the wake of India opening a link road, apparently encroaching on the Nepali territory, the government is preparing to establish an Armed Police Force border outpost (APF BOP) in the disputed Kalapani region.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, says the government’s decision to establish a BOP in Chharung of Kalapani region has not been implemented due to several reasons, but preparations to implement it are at the final state now.
“We had been waiting for some time as managing permanent structures there was difficult due to the region’s altitude. But, we will establish a BOP in the next few days,” he told lawmakers during a meeting of the International Relations and Labour Committee in Parliament today.
A helicopter would fly in a day or two carrying the security personnel there, he assured.
He informed the committee that 182 families live in the region in the summer who come to the lower region of the Darchula district in the winter. There is not a way connecting that part to the rest of the country and the villagers are forced to travel via India, to and fro. “But we will construct a walking trail in the first phase and a motorway in the second phase to end this situation. We have allocated budget accordingly,” he assured.
Meanwhile, Armed Police Force spokesperson Praveen Kumar Shrestha also confirmed that a 35-member troop would be deployed at the site soon.
