UNN Deplores India's Enroachment of Nepali Border
Newswire Services
June 17, 2009
The gradual emasculation of Nepal´s central government which began in 2006 has enabled a consistent trend of encroachment on Nepal ´s southern borders by India. Never has this manifested itself more shamelessly, however, than in the recent incidents in Dang, Bara, and Birgunj. While the blatant lack of regard for Nepal´s sovereign territory evident in such cases is outrageous enough, such outrage pales in significance when measured against the appalling reports of human rights violations by India´s Border Security Forces [BSF].
The nauseating reports of forced displacement, destruction of property, rape and physical abuse have been repeated often enough in each of these cases to warrant proper investigation. Notwithstanding the ample coverage that this matter has been given in the Nepalese press for the last two weeks, there has been no satisfactory response whatsoever from the government of India. It is truly unacceptable that such egregious reports of human rights violations by the BSF should be allowed to pass without any due diligence being exercised by the government of India in investigating such claims. It is an insult to Nepal ´s own sovereign integrity for these reports to be callously brushed aside by India as "baseless" and "politically motivated." The UNN insists that the Indian government take the initiative to launch a proper investigation into each of these incidents and take any appropriate measures against the culpable parties.
Moreover, there have been reports concerning the absence of boundary-markers, or their evident relocation. Such reports suggest that there is a need for the scientific demarcation of the India-Nepal border in the districts under consideration. The UNN calls on the governments of India and Nepal to appoint a panel of experts from each nation to participate in such a process, and for this process to be monitored by observers from an international body or neutral nation.
Far more disturbing than India´s silence on these reports, however, has been the Nepal government´s own deafening silence. Although the M.K. Nepal cabinet has given us a most welcome assurance that talks are in progress with India over this matter, there has been no formal diplomatic statement from the government of Nepal over these reports, nor has there been any discussion as to what substantive steps will be taken to resolve this dispute. While it is understandable that the newly-formed M.K. Nepal government should wish to develop a rapport with the Indian government, it is unacceptable for any Nepalese government to allow this violation of sovereignty to pass unchallenged. The government must represent Nepal´s interests first and foremost. The United Nationalist Nepalese insists on an active and transparent dialogue to resolve this diplomatic incident. It is on this basis, however, that the UNN must take issue with the policy of violent brinkmanship pursued by the UCPN-Maoist. The Maoists have reacted to this incident with their usual arsenal of threats, riots, and undiplomatic posturing. While the UCPN-Maoist has perhaps been the only major Nepalese political party to take an active stand against India´s latest encroachment on Nepalese territory, their methods of doing so have been regrettably counterproductive, in keeping with the generally destructive character of their movement. We can only hope to resolve any dispute over borders through full disclosure ad proper investigation, and the UNN calls on the governments of both India and Nepal to take the initiative in this regard.
The nauseating reports of forced displacement, destruction of property, rape and physical abuse have been repeated often enough in each of these cases to warrant proper investigation. Notwithstanding the ample coverage that this matter has been given in the Nepalese press for the last two weeks, there has been no satisfactory response whatsoever from the government of India. It is truly unacceptable that such egregious reports of human rights violations by the BSF should be allowed to pass without any due diligence being exercised by the government of India in investigating such claims. It is an insult to Nepal ´s own sovereign integrity for these reports to be callously brushed aside by India as "baseless" and "politically motivated." The UNN insists that the Indian government take the initiative to launch a proper investigation into each of these incidents and take any appropriate measures against the culpable parties.
Moreover, there have been reports concerning the absence of boundary-markers, or their evident relocation. Such reports suggest that there is a need for the scientific demarcation of the India-Nepal border in the districts under consideration. The UNN calls on the governments of India and Nepal to appoint a panel of experts from each nation to participate in such a process, and for this process to be monitored by observers from an international body or neutral nation.
Far more disturbing than India´s silence on these reports, however, has been the Nepal government´s own deafening silence. Although the M.K. Nepal cabinet has given us a most welcome assurance that talks are in progress with India over this matter, there has been no formal diplomatic statement from the government of Nepal over these reports, nor has there been any discussion as to what substantive steps will be taken to resolve this dispute. While it is understandable that the newly-formed M.K. Nepal government should wish to develop a rapport with the Indian government, it is unacceptable for any Nepalese government to allow this violation of sovereignty to pass unchallenged. The government must represent Nepal´s interests first and foremost. The United Nationalist Nepalese insists on an active and transparent dialogue to resolve this diplomatic incident. It is on this basis, however, that the UNN must take issue with the policy of violent brinkmanship pursued by the UCPN-Maoist. The Maoists have reacted to this incident with their usual arsenal of threats, riots, and undiplomatic posturing. While the UCPN-Maoist has perhaps been the only major Nepalese political party to take an active stand against India´s latest encroachment on Nepalese territory, their methods of doing so have been regrettably counterproductive, in keeping with the generally destructive character of their movement. We can only hope to resolve any dispute over borders through full disclosure ad proper investigation, and the UNN calls on the governments of both India and Nepal to take the initiative in this regard.