PANCHESWOR: The Indian side is alleged of intervening in the operation of boats in the Mahakali River along the Nepal-India border at Tallo Swarad of Baitadi.

People of Tallo Swarad at Pancheshwor rural municipality have access to boats only to cross the river in absence of a bridge. The bridge construction has not been possible as the Indian side is yet to give its consent for it.

Surendra Chand who would make a living by operating a boat in the Mahakali River said the Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB) deputed by India for border security has created hurdles for operating the service at Haldubinayak Ghat for a year.

He added that he was awarded a contract by the local government to operate a boat in Haldubinayak Ghat, but the SSB’s intervention for a year has almost displaced him from his occupation. Operation of the boat is the sole means of his livelihood.

He spent over 100 thousand to build the boat. Though he visited the local government many times with complaints about the SSB intervention, the issue remains as it is. Pancheshwor rural municipality Chair Gorakh Bahadur Chand said the District Administration Office has been apprised of the issue.

The boat operation is going on smoothly in other ghats such as Dimbar, Devtal, and Doya here and the local administration had given permission for the service to operate through a contract.

When approached, Baitadi Chief District Officer Suresh Panthi said the Indian security body had been apprised of the issue. “We have informed the district officials at Pithauragadh about it. The DAO is planning to raise the issue in a border coordination committee meeting scheduled to be held within the next few days.”

RSS