Kathmandu- The locals and businessmen on the northern border of the country have suffering due of China’s one-sided ‘unannounced blockade’ for a long time after the earthquake and corona epidemic. Not only Kerung and Tatopani international border crossings, but also other northern border crossings have been unilaterally
blocked by China for the last few years. Humla, Mugu, Gorkha’s Larke, Sankhuwasabha’s Kimathanka, Taplejung’s Tiptala, etc., are not only border crossing but also a regular route connected with the daily life of the locals. However, since China, who tries and identifies itself as a good neighbor and friendly country, seems indifferent to facilitate these crossings, leading suffering to the citizens of the border area.
Nepal-China border crossing (Tiptala Bhanjyang) of Olangchungola rural municipality has been closed for four years. Last July, the village council had written to the district administration office demanding to open this border. Village chairman Rajan Limbu wrote a letter and requested the administration office for facilitation.
The letter mentioned that after the closure of the border, there was a problem in livelihood due to the local economic crisis, the situation of settlement relocation was created, and the prices increased extremely. Especially, the export of goods has been stopped due to the closure of the border of the locals who embrace animal husbandry, herb collection and carpet production as their main occupation.
Further the letter explains that it takes four days to reach Olangchungola, Ghunsa, Phale and Yang while carrying goods from Taplejung’s headquarter Fungling, while it takes only three days to carry goods from Tapethok, the center of the municipality. Locals are bound to pay three time the price for goods on delivering to their home
while purchasing from the headquarters. If the border is open and functions smoothly, the residents of this area can return home after shopping at the Ryu market in Tibet just in a day. The community in this area, which is far from the road network, has been facing problems such as health and education. In case of illness, helicopters are ‘chartered’, but due to poor financial status, they have to walk for three days to reach the district hospital. However, the problems still prevail. The problems of the residents of the border areas connected to China including Mustang, Humla, Mugu, North- Gorkha are also similar. At present, only Kerung in Rasuwa and Tatopani in Sindhupalchok are operating partially.
China has not yet opened free movement of non-business people. Businessmen have said that the unilateral blockade by China has caused a loss of crores of rupees to the country’s economy. According to the Nepal Himalayan Cross Border Commerce Association, goods purchased from China are left stranded in the border area and due to perishable goods and clothes, businessmen have to bear huge losses. According to the businessman, due to the recent problems at the northern border, Chinese goods are also brought by ship through the Kolkata border in India.
