The way has been cleared for the establishment of a Border Protection Force (BOP) of the Armed Police Force in Upper Dolpa, located in the northern region of Dolpa.

The way has been opened for the establishment of the BOP with the acquisition of free land in Fal village in Dolpobuddha Rural Municipality-6.

Deepak Raj Bhatta, Deputy Superintendent of Armed Police, informed that 2,235 square meters of land has been acquired for the establishment of the BOP in Fal village near the Morimla checkpoint on the Nepal-China border. DSP Bhatta said that now a clear path has been opened for the construction of the necessary buildings and structures.

The land was provided free of charge by local Karmatasi Gurung and Tshiring Gurung in coordination and cooperation with Ward No. 6 and the rural municipality, Ward Chairman Nurbu Gurung informed. Ward Chairman Gurung said that the land has been acquired in the name of the Armed Police Force after years of efforts, and the way has been opened for the establishment of the BOP. He said that initiatives are also being taken to provide an additional two ropanis of land in the name of the Armed Police Force. 

Karmatasi had provided 1,950 square meters of land and Tshiring had provided 1,140 square meters of land for the BOP. The rural municipality has stated that the establishment of the BOP in the geographically remote Upper Dolpa will help maintain peace and security along with border security.

Upper Dolpa has Morimla and Kato checkpoints connected to China. In Upper Dolpa, which has three local levels - Dolpobuddha, Charkatangsong and She-Phoksundo rural municipalities - locals have been buying goods from the Chinese region for a long time.

Border patrols are not possible without BOP

Border patrols have not been carried out regularly in Upper Dolpa due to the lack of the Border Security Force BOP. Although Nepali security teams are supposed to reach the Sandh border every day, the border area in Upper Dolpa is now without security. After the BOP of the Armed Police Force could not be established in Tinje, both Morimla and Kato checkpoints have become without security. 

Upper Dolpa residents say that the Chinese police regularly visit the border area between the two countries. However, they say that it is a mystery what kind of activities the Chinese police do in the absence of security forces on the Nepal side. 

Why did the Chinese police try to take Prakash Budha, an engineer from the Infrastructure Development Office Dolpa, who had gone to see Pillar No. 15, which was established in their border area, under control, calling him an icebreaker four years ago? Not only that, but there was also news that the Chinese police had painted the border pillar alone.

There is always a sense of security among the general public

It takes five days to reach the geographically remote Upper Dolpa from the district headquarters Dunai. That is why the residents of Upper Dolpa always feel a sense of security.

Nepal Police security posts have been set up in places such as Dho, Saldang, and Kagkot in Upper Dolpa. Since Upper Dolpa, which receives snowfall all year round, gets extremely cold after Kartik and receives abundant snowfall, the posts are also merged with the district office.

Nima Gurung, the chairperson of Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality 8, said that security challenges will increase in Upper Dolpa during this time. This year too, the police posts of Upper Dolpa have been merged with the district headquarters, Dunai. Due to the cold weather that does not subside from Kartik to Chaitra, Upper Dolpa is often insecure.

Due to the lack of security for six months, criminal activities such as theft of historical heritage, looting of villages, and illegal sale of wildlife and other items have decreased in Upper Dolpa in the past. Not only that, but during the winter, some ordinary people lock themselves in their houses and monasteries and go down to the valley to escape the cold, so archaeological heritage is stolen by armed groups.

Due to the lack of reliable security arrangements, according to a report by the District Police Office, Dolpa, 73 ancient statues have been stolen from Upper Dolpa since 2072 BS, of which 50 have been recovered. 23 more are yet to be found. Locals of Dho say that the security threat increases during this time as people with the intention of stealing often enter the villages and settlements of Upper Dolpa during the winter, taking advantage of the lack of people. Upper Dolpa is without security for about six months, while Nepal Police provides partial security for only six months.

All other security posts in Upper Dolpa, except Phoksundo and Saldang, have been moved, according to the District Police Office, Dolpa.

No temporary customs

Due to the state's neglect, the Morimla and Kato checkpoints have not been legalized, but police are deployed every year. Even the Kato checkpoint opens only occasionally. There is no temporary customs office at these checkpoints, which open only once a year.

There is no Division Forest Office check post in the border area to check the public going to sell forest products including herbs. Traders trade herbs in a vacuum. It is said that illegal activities may occur every year when the checkpoint opens due to the lack of a strong state presence. Since some areas of Upper Dolpa fall within the Shey-Phoksundo National Park area, wild animals including musk deer and snow leopards are found.