Changru, Darchula :

With the strong determination for border security, the Armed Police Force (APF) today has started patrol at Chhangru (Gaga) sharing border with India in Byas rural municipality-1, the remote mountainous area of Darchula district.

The government on Wednesday deployed a contingent of 50 APF personnel from its 50 number command based in district headquarters Khalanga for border security. The contingent has started patrol from Sita Bridge, the significant transit point sharing border area with India. There is a fragile wooden bridge over the Mahakali River along the border area for easing people's mobility to and from Nepal and India.

The patrol is being intensified from the bridge. Border Outpost in-charge and APF Inspector Lily Bahadur Chand said the contingent would be mobilized routinely for regular border patrol.

According to him, the BOP would oversee security of the Nepali territory including Chhangaru, Kauwa, Tinker, Budi and Nitikunda. Before embarking on the inspection of embattled border, Bhupendra Kumar of Indian SSB called on security advisor of the Home Ministry Prof Dr Indra Jeet Rai and APF Inspector Chand.

On the occasion, Rai informed the Indian side that Nepal has deployed a contingent for the security of her territory and suggested that the security forces from both the country should work in tandem leaving bilateral discussion between the governments for settling other contentious issues. The BOP was set up here on Wednesday as per the cabinet decision.

There is a temporary post of the Nepal Police in Humling where it takes two days walk to reach there. The presence of security personnel was zero after the police post placed at Nitikunda nearby Chhangaru was shifted down last November-December.

The area also witnessed no human presence when the local folks descended to warmer places during winter. People used to go down to warmer areas for six months to beat chilling cold. The Nepal Police team which came down to district headquarters on November-end last year returned to the area today only. The government has already allocated Rs 110 million for border vigilance and patrol.

It may be noted that India had inaugurated a road leading to Mansarovar of China from Pitahuragadh through Gunji, Kalapani some days ago. Nepal has also decided to send a contingent of APF for the defense of border territory ans also set up BOPs in 114 border disputed areas.

Indian area Dharchula is located across the headquarters of Darchula district of Nepal. In the past, Nepali people used to reach Chharung at Byas-1 from Dharchula through the route constructed by India along the Mahakali river. There are no roads in Nepali side to reach the village. It takes at least five days to reach the village by foot using risky trails.

One hundred fifteen households of the village who descended to low lands during winter to escape cold have been stuck around the headquarters of Darchula district after they were denied entry by the Indian government due to lockdown. The village wears a deserted look as there is no presence of people and Nepal's authorities. Lands are barren and gates of houses are locked.

Another village nearby is Tinkar which is 10 kilometres away. The village houses 68 households. It takes around two days by foot to reach Sunsara, the headquarters of the rural municipality from Chharung. It takes approximately 15 kilometres to reach Kalapani from Chharung. Lipulek is around 10 kilometres away from Tinkar and 25 kilometres from Chharung.

A border outpost of Armed Police Force has been set up at Gaga in the area. The outpost lies around one kilometre away from Indian border area, Sitapul. There is no road network and reliable means of communication in the area. As a result, AFP stationed in the area is finding it hard to exchange communication. "We need nothing other than telephone network and roads," said local resident Sudha Bohara.

Indian Seem Suraksha Bal, border security force of India, is stationed at Sitapul. Two teams of Indian Tibet Border Police Force of India and SSB are stationed at Gabyang nearby Sitapul. Likewise, Indian Army is stationed at Chhayanlek, a while away from Gabyang. Indian Army and SSB patrolled the border area on vehicles and helicopters several times a day. Excavators and dozers have been used in Lipulek area by Indian side for the construction of physical infrastructure.