Chhoser (Mustang), December 14:

In the absence of Nepali security and customs officials along the Nepal-China border at Chhoser in Upper Mustang, Chinese nationals have been crossing into Nepal without any check.

Though the Chinese have the liberty of getting into Nepali territory without any security hurdles, Nepali nationals fear travelling even up to their national border, a local Karsing Gurung said.

“Chinese can enter far into Nepali territory without any permit,” Gurung said, adding,

“But we can’t enter Chinese territory. Chinese security personnel detain us before we can cross the border.”

Nepal’s border police post is located at Lomanthang Village Development Committee, far below Chhoser. Police posts in Nhechung, Ghami, Surkhang and Chhonup along the Nepal-China border, once manned by security personnel, are now deserted. Whereas, China has army and police personnel deputed at several points along the border.

Nepal Army is stationed in district headquarters Jomsom.

“We had informed local administration about the activities of Chinese in Nepali territory. But there has been no arrest so far,” DSP Dinanath Poudel at the Lomanthang border police post said.

Chief District Officer of Mustang Narayan Prasad Sanjel said border police posts were shifted to comfortable areas because of adverse climatic conditions at high altitude. He said Nepal

could not match with the Chinese in terms of resources.

“Since the Nepal-China border lies nearly at the height of 3,700 metres, the area is cold throughout the year. Snowfall during winter makes the situation even worse. We have no alternative but to move downwards,” CDO Sanjel said.

Noodles, biscuits, beer and other beverages and goods enter Nepal without paying customs duty via Chhoser.

In the absence of effective customs mechanism, the government is losing millions of rupees, that would otherwise have gone to the national exchequer. Customs officials receive their remunerations in Jomsom.

Earlier, China and Nepal had agreed to allow cross-border movement of locals of hilly

regions of both the countries upon showing permits issued by local administration of both the countries. However, Nepalis were detained when they tried to use the privilege in the past.