China has been accused by Nepal of infiltrating its borders in a leaked report, joining its neighbors India and Bhutan in expressing concern about the regional ambitions of the Asian official.
This will be the first time Nepal has accused the country of interfering, despite numerous other reports of Chinese interference – although a government report has not yet been officially released, and officials will still be held accountable for their leaks.
The report was submitted by the government last September following media reports that China was building 11 houses in the Humla region, near the western Nepal border. The allegations forced Nepal’s prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to announce the formation of a committee to look into the allegations on September 1.
It is not known why the committee’s report has not been released, but its findings were reported by the BBC on Tuesday morning. The Chinese embassy in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, has denied the allegations.
It blames Beijing for carrying out security operations in the Lungjong border area, on Nepal’s side of the border with China.
China has reportedly imposed restrictions on religious and pastoral activities for Nepalese people, according to the report. Lungjong is a place of religious significance for both Hindus and Buddhists because of its proximity to Mount Kailash.
It also said that China had built a fence around the border pillar and tried to build a canal and road on the Nepal side of the border.
Some of the buildings thought to be built on the Nepalese side of the border, however, were found built on the Chinese side, according to a hardworking team, which includes representatives of the police and the government.
The report appears to confirm allegations made by opposition political leaders two years ago of China’s entry into the country.
The issue has sparked protests in Kathmandu.
Nepal, which has been pursuing close relations with Beijing, has tried to back up any proposal for a border dispute.
The Chinese embassy had issued a statement in January on the issue of entry.
“There is no conflict at all. It is hoped that the people of Nepal [will not] be misled by false reports, ”he said.
China and Nepal share a 1,439km border that cuts across large and inaccessible parts of both countries. The boundary between the two neighbors is based on the 1961 Border Treaty and various treaties thereafter.
The boundary is made up of 100 main and lower pillars, usually separated by long distances.