Feeble border security arrangement worries Kimathanka locals

Bhim Dewan/Republica Nepal police security check post at Kimathaka and China’s Dendang Bazar in the background, in this recent picture.

Though Nepal has time and again reiterated its commitment to One-China policy, it does not seem to be sensitive towards security arrangements along its Northern border. An instance of such condition is the security arrangements at Kimathanka checkpoint and surrounding areas in Sankhuwashaba district. Security arrangement at this checkpoint that came in limelight following the government’s decision to open it following the recent Indian blockade has been feeble. Though government security arrangements in the present context are normal, they are not sufficient for responding to any potential security challenges.

Locals have complained about the lack security arrangements on the northern part of the district headquarters to control smuggling across the borders. Though Nepalese Army and Armed Police Force (APF) units are stationed in the southern part, the northern frontier is mostly guarded by Nepal Police posts.

Considering the graveness of the issue, the District Administration Office claimed that it had reported the issue to concerned authorities several times. According to assistant CDO Mohan Mani Ghimire, the subject has been discussed several times during regional and zonal meetings and conventions of government officials.

A local politician Dambar Basnet pointed out that the government has not been able to give due attention to the matter despite its high sensitivity. “The northern zone covers almost half the area of the entire district. However, the security challenge has not drawn due attention of the government,” he said. “We must be alert when we have time. We cannot afford to take the matter lightly,” he added.

Basnet said that there are very scantly armed few police posts along the borderline. “Though the other side of the border is heavily guarded, on our side the security is very feeble. Police forces that are scarcely armed are not sufficient to guard the border against any potential threats or to control smuggling of people, animals or goods across the border,” he said.

Requesting anonymity a security officer stated the security of the zone has been very poor and expressed bewilderment at the sheer negligence of the concerned authorities.” “There has been acute shortage of security personnel, arms and infrastructures here to guard the borders. No advances have been made towards addressing these shortcomings and such condition has been hampering security arrangements here,” he said.

Though government initiatives seem apparently lacking here, Kimathaka locals have themselves come forward with initiatives that could bolster security arrangements in the future. They have expressed willingness to avail land for establishing a base-camp for security forces.

“We are going to provide land to the government at Kimathaka – 8 if it can establish a security base-camp in this area. Lack of security arrangements here has been great concern and we think a security force base camp here will address it,” said Temba Nawa. “We are ready to support in every way we can for making appropriate security arrangements here,” he added.

Though the government seems to have been missing in action to address concerns of the locals, a nearby armed police battalion said that it has been continuously assessing the locality’s security condition. “We have been continuously assessing security conditions in the region. As part of our initiatives to bolster security arrangements in the northern part of the district headquarters we are considering many possible areas for establishing a base-camp,” said APF’s DSP Suman Thapaliya of Arun Battalion.

Lawmaker Taraman Gurung, stressed on making proper security arrangements in along the northern frontier pointing to Arun Hydro power projects as well as Koshi highway. “Despite its high strategic importance, this area does not have enough security forces to address any untoward situation,” he said adding that deployment of security forces from the district headquarters Khandbari will be difficult due to its remoteness.

“We have a policy of tight security at sensitive border areas. However, due to the lack of resources we are not being able to implement it as we should be,” Spokesperson at Home Ministry Yadav Prasad Koirala said adding that establishing a base-camp in the region would not be possible unless more APF personals are deployed in the district.