Kathmandu: The government has formed a committee in Humla to study the border dispute with China. A meeting of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday decided to form a committee to study the problems that have arisen in the border area from Limi Lapcha to Hillsa in Namkha village municipality of Humla District.

Announcing the decision of the Council of Ministers, Law Minister Gyanendra Bahadur Karki said, “A committee comprising Department of Survey, Nepal Police, Armed Police and Border Experts will be formed under the coordination of Home Ministry Joint Secretary to study the problems in the border area from Limi Lapcha to Hillsa in Namkha village of Humla district.”

What is the Humla controversy?

In September 2020, it was claimed that China had encroached on Nepali land and built nine buildings in Humla. A government team led by the Chief District Officer also conducted an on-site study. Although the report is not public, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that China has not lowered the Nepalese border.

Soon after, a team led by Jeevan Bahadur Shahi, a central member of the Nepali Congress and a member of the Karnali Pradesh Sabha, went for an on-site study, the report of which refutes the government’s claim. The report of the Shahi leadership team states that buildings have been constructed in Lolujung by moving the pillar number 12, two-thirds of the 9 (2) boundary pillars of Hillsa have been fenced off towards China, and 6 (1) boundary pillars of Kids of Hilsa have been fenced off.

A team led by Shahi had submitted a report to the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli demanding the sending of a joint task force comprising experts from both the countries. But the government did not hold a hearing, saying there was no border dispute with China.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is also the president of his own party, had expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of study on the border dispute with China. At that time, Deuba had promised to form a committee to study the issue.

The cabinet meeting held on Wednesday has formed a study committee, but the members are yet to be decided.