Villagers on Nepal border demand basic amenities

Even as Nepal is making constant efforts to lure people of three villages in Dharchula of Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand district so as to stake claim over them, the residents on Saturday informed the local administration that they stood firmly with India and would not allow the nefarious designs of the neighbour to succeed.

They, however, wanted the Centre and state government to come to their rescue and provide employment and other basic facilities in the border villages.

Deccan Chronicle had carried reports highlighting how the K.P.

Sharma Oli government in Nepal was offering huge money and land to the locals of Gunji, Kuti and Nabhi villages, located close to the trijunction of India, China and Nepal. A group of residents led by Virendra Singh Nabiyal, president of Dharchula Bachao Abhiyan, submitted a petition to the sub-divisional magistrate of Dharchula.

“Nepal is offering more than `2 crore to each family and wants the people of these three villages to hoist Nepal flags. We will not allow it to happen,” the locals said. In the petition, also signed by other residents, they highlighted the problems being faced by the people living in border villages, particularly unemployment. They demanded that with increasing deployment of forces, the locals be used as porters or for doing other jobs and assist the Army and ITBP instead of bringing outsiders to do the job.

They pointed out that many people from Nepal had been regularly visiting the Indian side unchecked, without valid passes.

“There are no hospitals in the villages. With no proper police outpost, there is no check of people coming in and going out. Keeping in view the tensions between India and China, there is an urgent need to develop infrastructure,” Dinesh Gunjyal, vice-president of Bharat-Cheen Vyapar Sangh, said.