Indian and Nepalese officials are set to join forces for a joint survey of the no man's land along the Indo-Nepal border in Uttarakhand. This collaborative effort is a response to reports of widespread encroachments in the Khatima area of Udham Singh Nagar district and adjacent parts of Champawat district. The survey is scheduled for October 26.

Ravindra Singh Bisht, sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Khatima, said, "Military and administrative officials from the two countries will convene on Thursday to discuss and demarcate the border area with the aim of resolving this escalating issue on the international frontier. After the survey, initiatives will be taken to swiftly remove encroachments from the no man's land."

A senior official revealed that an issue has arisen as 269 border demarcation pillars, intended for the Indo-Nepal border in southeast Uttarakhand, have gone missing. The situation is concerning as encroachments have been reported spanning from pillar 700 at Palia Kalan in India to pillar 811 at Brahmdev in Nepal.

Allegations have emerged that individuals from both sides of the border have encroached upon the no man's land. Local residents in Khatima claim that farmers, predominantly from Nepal's Madhesi caste, have initiated cultivation on the land and erected huts in the area. Simultaneously, a number of individuals from the Indian side of the border have also commenced farming activities on this disputed land.

Udham Singh Nagar district magistrate, Udayraj Singh, said, "Departments responsible for reclaiming the no man's land near Khatima have been asked to act promptly on this issue. A joint team composed of members from the local administration, forest department, irrigation department and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is being formed."

In the nearby region of Tanakpur in Champawat, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Akash Joshi provided an update on the situation. Administrative officials, in conjunction with a team from the revenue department, local law enforcement, and personnel from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), conducted a comprehensive survey of the no man's land surrounding pillar 796-1. During the survey, evidence of farming activities in the area was observed.

However, Mr. Joshi emphasized that no other activities, particularly human trafficking, were identified during this assessment. The authorities' focus remained primarily on monitoring and addressing the reported farming activities in the region.

Reacting to the issue, DIG of SSB (area headquarters), D N Bhombe, said, "There are 54 border outposts along the 254-km Indo-Nepal border from Kalapani to Tanakpur. People living with dual citizenship on the border are on our radar. We are fully alert in view of the festive season and the upcoming Lok Sabha elections."

Image source: ANI