KATHMANDU, JUNE 8

Opposition lawmakers on Monday obstructed proceedings in the House of Representatives (HoR), demanding clarification over Prime Minister Balendra Shah's recent remarks on the Nepal-India border issue and seeking their removal from the parliamentary record.

The protest delayed the House meeting by nearly two hours. Shortly after proceedings began, lawmakers stood in protest, prompting Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal to suspend the meeting for 15 minutes.

Speaking in the House, lawmaker Padma Kumari Aryal argued that the Prime Minister's statement contradicted the national consensus reached in 2077 BS, when Nepal incorporated Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani into its official map. She demanded that the remarks be expunged from the official record.

The controversy stems from Prime Minister Shah's response to lawmakers on May 31, in which he said that in some areas land currently used by Nepal could fall on the Indian side, while land under India's use could lie within Nepal.

Lawmakers from the main opposition Nepali Congress and other parties also raised concerns over alleged irregularities in vehicle imports from China, citing media reports of possible manipulation of customs procedures and tax rates.

MPs including Santosh Subba, Harka Raj Sampang Rai, Barshaman Pun and Gyanendra Bahadur Shahi called for a thorough investigation and action against those found responsible.

The suspended meeting, however, could not resume at the scheduled time due to what was described as special circumstances. Speaker Aryal later announced that the House meeting had been adjourned until 1:00 pm on Tuesday, June 9.