After news regarding China constructing a building in Lalungjong on the Nepal-China border area came out, a team led by Chief District Officer of Humla, Chiranjibi Giri, visited the border for inspection. CDO Giri talked to the Humla correspondent of The Rising Nepal, Rajan Rawat, regarding the inspection. Excerpts:

What is the finding of your inspection?

It is a part of our regular duty to inspect the border pillar once every year. As a part of our duty, the team marched to Lulungjong to inspect the border this year. The inspection team has concluded that the building constructed by China falls in the Chinese territory.
After the authorities of both the nations tallied the map at the Namkha Gaunpalika's building construction site in Lapcha Area, it was found that the building constructed by China was limited within the Chinese border.
The inspection team has already submitted the report to the concerned authority regarding the same.

How did the inspection take place at Lulungjong?

It took around half an hour for the representatives of both the nations to tally the map of Nepal and China. While tallying the map, it was found that the Lulungjong area, where the building has been constructed, lay in the Chinese territory.
Although our inspection team didn’t include experts, by looking at the maps of both the nations, it was evident that the Lulungjong area didn’t lie within the Nepali territory.
It is the map on the basis of which territories are determined. I don’t think it is appropriate to comment without facts and evidences. The inspection teams of both nations have thoroughly examined the map.
Rather than believing the locals blindly, I request everyone to look into the facts and evidences.
As the team has already submitted the inspection report to the Ministry of Home Affairs, further information regarding it can be obtained from the ministry.

How was Nepal's team treated?

The rumours that Nepal's inspection team was chased and wasn’t allowed to enter the Lulungjong area are wrong. Our team had reached Lulungjong by a tipper. Due to the COVID-19 scare, the meeting was carried out by maintaining social distancing.
It is true that the Chinese side had informed us by using a mic but this is absolutely normal. We did face some difficulties while communicating due to language constraints.
Chinese officials showed their goodwill towards Nepal by managing food and water for us. As the Chinese team was coming to the Lulungjong area from Taklakot, we had to wait for the team for some time. This should not be taken otherwise.

Why do the local representatives and locals say that the area belongs to Nepal?

I believe everyone should speak on the basis of facts and evidences. I have already said that maps of both the countries prove that Lulungjong belongs to China.
The locals and the local representatives have been stating that the area was being used by Nepali for a long time as Kharka land but we do not have any evidence to prove it.
As the report has been submitted, I don’t think it is necessary to talk more about this matter.

Was border pillar No. 11 found during the inspection?

Discovering the No. 11 border pillar was the major accomplishment of the inspection. It is said that the pillar was missing for a long time. Our team was successful in finding it.
To discover the pillar, our team had to stay in Hilsa for two days. After the pillar was navigated via GPS, a team of the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force traveled from Hilsa at around 4:00 am and found the pillar at around 11:00 am at Takule.
Our team visited nine pillars, numbered 10, 11, 12, 9 (1, 2), 8 (1, 2), and 7 (1,2), out of 15 border pillars of the Humla section. It will be easier to carry out the inspection after the longitude and latitude of all these pillars are ascertained.