Locals protest construction of embankment by India in Darchula

BY LOKENDRA PRASAD JOSHI,Darchula, Apr. 21: India is rapidly constructing an embankment on Nepali land in Khalanga, the district headquarters of Darchula. Locals have expressed anger, accusing India of encroaching on Nepali territory and building the embankment in a domineering manner, while the local administration, elected representatives and the Nepali government remain silent despite Indian bulldozers operating daily on Nepali soil.

After the 2013 flood, the Mahakali River changed its course, pushing Nepali territory to the far side of the river. Since then, India has been occupying that land and building embankments. According to one local, Anil Thagunna, India is currently constructing a dam on land legally recorded in Nepal's official maps as Nepali territory, including the bus park area in Galfai, which was on the near side of the river before 2013.

Around 50 ropanis of Nepali land have shifted across the river and India continues construction on this land despite appeals from local citizens and officials. Local Krishna Dhami said that while construction in the past was halted due to public protests, it has now been resumed.

Journalist Sundar Singh Dhami said that although Nepal’s Land Survey Department confirmed the area belongs to Nepal, the report has not been made public. He urged the concerned authorities to release the report and immediately halt the construction. Journalist Kamalraj Joshi added that the Mahakali no longer marks the boundary line, as the area now being encroached upon was once home to Nepali forest and soil conservation offices and residences.

Mahesh Bhatt, President of Darchula's civil society, stated that India must retreat from Nepali land before continuing construction and called on the Nepal government to intervene, warning that India's actions undermine Nepal's sovereignty.

Chief District Officer Anil Poudel said that the Home Ministry has been informed and formal verbal and written requests have been made to the Indian administration to stop the work. Instead of stopping, India has increased manpower and machines at the site. On Saturday alone, five bulldozers were seen operating in the area. Poudel emphasised the need for a diplomatic solution that avoids further conflict.

India, which has obstructed embankment construction on the Nepali side in the past, is now transporting construction materials into Nepal’s territory to redirect the river’s flow. Tensions escalated when Indian bulldozers crossed the Mahakali River into Khalanga a few months ago. Now, locals say, India is blatantly constructing embankments in the Nepali land of Galfai.

Darchula residents are furious as Indian excavators operate in an expansionist fashion on their land while the Nepal government and officials remain passive. 

Despite repeated protests by locals, the indifferent stance of the Nepal government has allowed India to accelerate construction, especially as the river’s water level has decreased. While Nepal previously left much of the Mahakali riverbank untouched, India is now building taller embankments in the disputed areas.

Locals warn that Nepal’s failure to take a strong stand against India’s expansionist behaviour is leading to increased border encro achment. They call for urgent and decisive action from the government and all relevant stakeholders on this highly sensitive issue.