BAJURA, JUNE 15
A joint temporary security base comprising Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel has been established at Lampata in Himali Rural Municipality-3 of Bajura district, as authorities move to restore order in an area that has seen a series of violent incidents involving residents from neighbouring Humla district.
A 28-member security team reached Lampata on Saturday after a three-day trek from the district headquarters at Martadi, the remote village lies at least three days' walking distance from the headquarters. The team comprises 21 Armed Police Force personnel under the command of Police Inspector Janak Poudel and seven Nepal Police officers under Police Sub-Inspector Mitthu Bahadur Bohara. The base will remain operational for three months, with the team conducting regular patrols across Lampata and the Ranisain area.
Chief District Officer Dorendra Niraula confirmed the deployment, adding that the APF headquarters will provide direct instruction and coordination to the team as required. APF Inspector Poudel said the security situation in the area is gradually returning to normal, and that local residents who had fled Lampata out of fear following earlier incidents are beginning to return to their homes. The local child development centre, which had been closed, is also expected to resume operations within the coming days.
The security deployment follows a sequence of attacks that drew national attention to this remote corner of Sudurpashchim Province.
On May 17 and May 19, residents from Humla travelled to Lampata and assaulted local residents, government staff, and elected representatives. Ward Member Pemgara Gurung and others were beaten and briefly held hostage. On May 27, Humla residents expelled members of the Bhote community from the Ranisain area and set fire to their livestock shelters, along with other acts of intimidation.
Among the most high-profile incidents was an attack on May 19 on a team that had come to Ranisain to promote tourism in the area. The team included Himali Rural Municipality Chairperson Gobinda Malla and Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City Mayor Gopal Hamal of Kailali, both of whom were among those assaulted. The Rural Municipality's Chief Administrative Officer Kulbahadur Thapa and Ward No. 3 Member Pemgara Gurung were among the injured.
Tensions escalated sharply in recent weeks, prompting the Central Security Committee to decide on the deployment of a joint central security base in the disputed zone.
Cases have been filed against 23 individuals from Humla in connection with the incidents, and arrest warrants have been issued by the Bajura District Court. However, none of the accused has been apprehended to date, a failure that has kept tensions simmering, with the Ranisain Struggle Committee continuing its phased protest movement demanding accountability.