Nepali Congress demands immediate halt of road construction drive by India in Lipulekh areas

Kathmandu: The Nepali Congress has reiterated its stand on Nepal’s claim over the Lipulekh and Kalapani areas saying they are integral parts of Nepali territory.

Issuing a joint statement on Friday, Nepali Congress General Secretaries Bishow Prakash Sharma and Gangan Kumar Thapa have responded to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claim of constructing roads in the areas.  

In the 7 point statement, the congress general secretaries have said the Nepali Congress is clear in the stand that the Indian army bases in the Kalapani area should be evacuated and Nepal should have the right to use the land as it is Nepal’s territory.

They have stressed resolving the disputes seen between two friendly nations diplomatically based on historical facts.

They have also objected to the construction work in the areas and demanded an immediate halt of the road construction drive as it goes against the earlier agreement.  

Saying the revised map of Nepal approved by the Parliament was a common voice of all political parties in the country, they said Nepali territory was determined by the 1816 Sugauli treaty and it should be implemented.