Nepal and China to discuss border security next week

 Chinese and Nepalese security authorities will hold a meeting next week to discuss matters related to security along the border between the two countries, reported Nepalese media.

Additional Inspector General Kishor Lama of the Armed Police Force (APF) of Nepal will lead the Nepalese delegation.

Chief District Officers (CDOs) of various hill and mountainous districts including Mustang, Solukhumbu, Sindhuli, Taplejung, Dolakha and Sankhuwasabha and security experts will be included in the Nepali team. The delegation will also include officials from Nepal Police, APF and the National Investigation Department.

Tibetan authorities had closed the Korala Nechung border point in Mustang district time and again as they failed to come together for such meetings.

People living in upper Mustang trade with the border towns of Tibet. The closure of the border along that area had affected residents of Chhoser, Chhunag, Chhonupu, Lomanthang, Ghami, Charang VDCs.

According to local businessmen, Chinese authorities have restricted the movement of Nepalis traders and visitors in the Tibetan market for fear of anti-China activities.

Sundar Raj Adhikari, CDO of Mustang, said his office has started issuing identity cards to traders importing and exporting goods between Tibet and Nepal.

A report recently published by the US based International Campaign for Tibet The ICT documents the insecurity and danger for Tibetans who enter India through Nepal which, it says, has beefed up security at the border with Tibet by deploying Armed Police Force under China’s instruction. “Somewhere between 2,500 and 3,500 Tibetans are registered each year by the UNHCR as "persons of concern" and provided assistance at the Tibetan Refugee Reception Center in Kathmandu.” However, since March 2008 only 652 Tibetans arrived safely at the Kathmandu reception center last year and just over 300 Tibetans have arrived this year.

It also says that the Nepalese government has adopted a hard line against expressions of the Tibetan identity in Nepal, despite strong cultural and religious ties among the Himalayan peoples that have existed for centuries.

Source: Phayul