KATHMANDU, JUNE 15
Opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives (HoR) on Monday pressed the government to take national sovereignty and border-related concerns more seriously, demanding clarifications on recent political statements and cross-border incidents.
At the beginning of the meeting, opposition MPs stood in protest, prompting Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal to allocate time for CPN (UML) Deputy Parliamentary Party Leader Padma Aryal, who sought clarification on remarks made by Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal during his recent visit to India. She also expressed dissatisfaction over Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle's responses during parliamentary deliberations.
Shram Sanskriti Party Chair Harka Raj Rai demanded that Prime Minister Balendra Shah's statement on border issues made on May 31 be expunged from parliamentary records. He also criticized several recent incidents, including alleged mistreatment of SEE examinees, the pushing of a three-wheeler off a cliff, and reported police vandalism at a private residence.
During the same session, CPN chief whip Yubaraj Dulal raised concern over reports of an Indian Army helicopter entering Nepali territory in Darchula and flagged the possible closure of a major tea industry in Ilam.
Nepali Congress lawmaker Renuka Kaucha demanded the publication of a probe report on property details of Home Minister Sudhan Gurung.
Meanwhile, Rastriya Prajatantra Party MP Bharat Giri praised residents of Susta, Nawalparasi, for resisting alleged encroachment by India's Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and urged the government to show greater sensitivity toward citizens living in border areas.
Lawmakers collectively called for a stronger government stance on sovereignty protection and national security concerns.
