Korala border to remain closed for three days

By Harikrishna Sharma,Muktinath (Mustang), Feb. 29: The Korala border point along the Nepal-China border will remain closed for three days in view of the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5.

According to the District Administration Office, Mustang, the Korala border point (Border Point No. 24), located in Lomanthang Rural Municipality, will be closed from midnight of March 2 to midnight of March 5.

Assistant Chief District Officer Ek Narayan Bhandari said security has been tightened in Korala and the surrounding border areas to ensure a free, fair, peaceful and fear-free election.

During the closure period, all movement will be restricted except for essential services. Locals living in the high-altitude Korala area, which lies at around 4,650 metres above sea level, will also move down to settlements during this time.

The 110-kilometre Jomsom-Korala road section will be closed from midnight of March 4 until voting is completed on election day.

The District Administration Office said Chinese authorities have also been informed about the closure, and joint patrols will be carried out if necessary.

Security has been further strengthened with election-focused patrols by the Nepali Army’s Indra Box Battalion, along with the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force, Nepal.