Nepal says its citizens free to travel to 'disputed' areas in Uttarakhand

After Dharchula SDM Anil Shukla had written to Nepali authorities that some organisations might attempt to infiltrate into Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, and Lipulekh, the official from the other side replied that the areas belonged to Nepal and hence its citizens were free to travel there.

Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand): In reply to a letter by the Dharchula Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) expressing apprehension of illegal infiltration, Nepali authorities said that the people of Nepal were free to travel to the 'disputed' territories in Uttarakhand.

According to reports, Dharchula SDM Anil Shukla had written a letter to the District Magistrate of Darchula in Nepal. The letter stated that some Nepali organisations may attempt to infiltrate into Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh with the intention of getting media attention.

However, in reply, the Assistant District Chief of Darchula stated that the three areas belong to Nepal according to the Sugauli Treaty of 1816, and that the citizens of Nepal were free to travel to these areas at any given time.

Nepal says its citizens free to travel to 'disputed' areas in Uttarakhand

Nepal says its citizens free to travel to 'disputed' areas in Uttarakhand

Darchula's Assistant District Chief Tek Singh Kunwar issued a letter stating that Limpiyadhura, Kuti, Nabi, Gunji, Kalapani, and Lipulekh were areas of Nepal, whose citizens can move naturally in these regions.

Former Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal, Kamal Thapa, shared the letter on Twitter and praised the officer.

Recently, the lower house of the Parliament of Nepal had unanimously approved the new political map of Nepal. The map shows Limpiyadhura, Kalapani, and Lipulekh as part of Nepal.

Though Nepal has been claiming these areas for a long time, the Indian government has staunchly opposed the same.

Read:Amid India-Nepal friction, a ground report from Kalapani region

Earlier, India had inaugurated a road link connecting Kailash Mansarovar, a holy pilgrimage site situated at Tibet, China, that passes through the territory claimed by Nepal.

The 80-Km new road inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to help pilgrims visiting Kailash-Mansarovar in Tibet in China as it is around 90 kms from the Lipulekh pass.