Kathmandu, December 30:

Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula told the parliamentary committee on Agriculture and Cooperatives today that the government will settle the Susta issue through diplomatic channel.

Answering queries of MPs, Sitaula said, “The problem will recur unless both sides (Nepal and India) settle it through discussions,” Sitaula added. After visiting the Susta area, a lawmakers’ panel submitted a report to the parliamentary committee, directing the government to resolve the issue through diplomatic means.

Making its report public, the parliamentary committee had directed the government to hold talks with India on the Susta issue at the political level.

In its report, the lawmakers’ panel has urged the government to construct a bridge over the Narayani river, and issue citizenship certificates to those who have been living in the area. It has also called on the government to launch development programmes and provide health and education services to the locals.

The report has also called for the creation of a unit of security forces and its deployment in Susta to provide security to locals. It also urged the government to look into past agreements on Susta.