Nepali Congress (NC) leader Jeevan Bahadur Shahi, also the Parliamentary Party leader of the Karnali Province Assembly, has been consistently insisting that China has encroached Nepal’s land in the Humla district.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government has formed a Nepal-China border study committee to study and address the issue. Shahi is of the firm belief that China, would one day, realize the fact that it has encroached upon Nepal’s land in the district. He says China has even constructed a road in Nepal’s land, removed the border pillar, which he saw with his bare eyes.
Shahi also suggested that those who say that Nepal’s land has not been encroached upon simply because China would be angry should draw conclusions through on-site inspection.
In this connection, Shahi shared his views with Khabarhub on the border encroachment issue by China and a thorough study on the issue. Excerpts:
The government has formed a committee to study the border dispute with China. Is this something that your stance has been justified?
I would say that the government has acknowledged my standpoint that China has encroached upon Nepal’s territory in the Humla district. I would like to thank the government for setting up the committee following our demands.
I had repeatedly raised the issue in the past, and will continue to raise it based on our on-the-site visit of the border area with China. A road has been constructed in Nepal’s land, border pillar no 12 has been shifted by dismantling it unilaterally.
I had also submitted a report to the government last year. My demand was to form a high-level team to visit the site and study themselves.
How optimistic are you that the task force formed by the government would work?
I am quite optimistic that the task force would genuinely work and bring out the report on the basis of an on-the-spot study, and investigation with the participation of local people’s representatives, local administration, technicians, survey department, and others.
The committee should understand that if China continues to encroach on the border, and if we continue to remain silent, the problem will never be resolved. This will only escalate and strain the relations between the two countries.
How should the task force carry out the work? Do you have anything to suggest to the committee?
Of course. My idea is that the task force should make a broader strategy and carry out the work. As I said earlier, it should involve the locals, people’s representatives of the district, and other officials, including Nepal Army to ensure that the committee came out with a report on the basis of evidence.
I also want to urge the committee to involve the Chinese side as well while studying the border encroachment issue to ensure impartiality so that the issue will be resolved once and for all.
The team should know that Pillar No. 9 in Hilsa belongs to both countries. It is 20-25 meters away from one pillar. You can’t put a fence on that pillar. Pillar No. 6 was cordoned off and placed next to it.
Nepal has a coalition government now. However, this agenda looks like that of the NC. DO you think the study will make a positive impact?
I have already met and talked with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. This issue was included in the government’s minimum common program.
Therefore, it is owned by all the power-sharing parties. Meanwhile, I have come to know that the committee has been formed with the consent of all political parties in the government.
Do you think that the report would come in line with your assertion?
Why not? I am equally convinced that the report will justify my claim since I have already released a report on the basis of evidence. Last year, we boundary pillars 12 in Lapcha and pillars 9 (1), 8 (1), 7 (1), 7 (1), 5 (1), and 5 (2) in Hilsa of the district.
We had also informed the then government led by PM KP Oli that China has encroached on Nepal’s land and has even started to construct structures crossing our borderline at Pillar 12.
The then government, however, said that Nepal’s land has not been encroached. The basic principle of boundary pillars is that whenever a new pillar has to be set up, it should first be settled in coordination with the officials of both sides. However, this principle has been breached. Pillar 12 is newly constructed lopsidedly by China.
What did you see there?
The people of the border area are suffering a lot. China had even suspended permission to the trucks laden with food supply meant for the people of Humla.
International transit laws, meanwhile, say that the transit route should not be suspended.
The Junge Pillar 12 has been recently constructed erected by China. The government officials say they have not been consulted about such issues.
Pillars 5.1 and 6.1 have been enclosed as there are Chinese security forces.
Meanwhile, Nepalis were also chased away by Chinese security when they went to the area there for farming or cattle-rearing. There is ample evidence that shows that Nepal’s territory has been encroached.
The then government, without trying to acknowledge the reality, denied any encroachment by China. I have brought evidence of encroachment.
Don’t you think that your claim will strain your relations with China?
Frankly, I don’t see anything that would strain my relations with China since I have been talking on the basis of evidence.
My argument is that the border issues with both our neighbors – China and India — should be addressed to ensure that our relations are not messed up. What we should not undervalue is that we have very cordial relations with both our neighbors.
I have not raised this issue to taint the relationship. My position is to further improve our relationship with the neighbors.
What do you want to say to people who have been denying that Nepali land has been encroached on by China?
There is no question of denying the fact that our land has been encroached upon. Those who say so thinking simply because China would be fumed with them should draw conclusions through on-site inspection.
I have a plain answer: Go to the border area, and see the evidence.
The coalition government led by your party, the Nepali Congress, has formed the task force. Will this make an impact when it comes to relations between NC and China?
I feel there is absolutely no reason for China to be outraged with the Nepali Congress because it is an issue of the country, not NC’s. As we all know, my party pursues a foreign policy according to the principles of the Panchsheel. For us, both China and India are good neighbors. This does not mean that we will have animosity with China.
What will be your role this time? Will you cooperate with the newly-formed task force?
I will extend my all possible support to the committee to study the border encroachment issue. I will give my statement to the task force.
When you first raised this issue, you said that you had a security threat. Now that the government has formed an investigation committee, have you received any threat again?
The question is not about the threat. The issue is about getting our land back, which I am sure will be returned.
Yes, I received some threats from various places last time. Some even labeled me as an American agent. Moreover, China also made serious allegations against my party and me. Some branded my party as pro-Indian.
The Chinese side will realize that they made a mistake by encroaching upon Nepal’s land. They will ultimately say that I was right.
What’s your final suggestion?
To reiterate, the committee should make an on-the-site inspection and draw a conclusion. A new map should be kept at the district administration office, and at the local levels in the district.
The issue has to be addressed in such a way that both the countries should be convinced. Therefore, I have also demanded to discuss the issue with the Chinese side as well. Let’s look for a solution.
Also Read,
Will Deuba government bring back Nepal’s territory encroached by China?
Government forms committee to study border dispute with China
CM Shahi, NC leader Shahi inspect China-encroached territory in Humla
China ramps up intimidation of border findings, sends letter undiplomatically (With full text)
China, Nepali Congress ramp up war of words on border encroachment
I feel threatened for my findings that China encroached land in Humla: NC leader Shahi
China has encroached Nepal’s land in Humla: Field Report
Evidence shows China has encroached Nepal’s territory in Humla: Lawmaker Shahi
Comment