The 'border dispute' that flared up in the Lampata Chhyachaur area (Rani Sain) on the border of Humla and Bajura has now been resolved. The dispute took the form of a clash after the Bajura side started building a police post in Lampata Chhyachaur.

According to Bajura's Chief District Officer Niraula, Bajura had planned to establish a temporary police post in Lampata two days ago.

However, residents of Raya and Thali villages of Kharpunath Rural Municipality-2 in Humla came to obstruct the establishment of the police post and destroyed the construction materials. Humla's Chief District Officer Tekraj Regmi said that the dispute arose over who would build the post. While informing about the incident, he said, 'Since that area has abundant potential for herbs and tourism, the dispute is whether the post will be yours or mine.' The work on the construction of the post has been stopped for the time being. Homework is being done on how to resolve the border dispute.'

Two days ago, a small number of residents of Kharpunathko Raya and Thali villages in Humla who came to Lampata in Bajura attacked and beat up the locals of Lampata, said Ward Chairman Mangal Budha of Himali Rural Municipality-3. The Chief Administrative Officer of Himali Rural Municipality Kul Bahadur Thapa, Ward Member No. 3 Pema Gara Gurung, his wife Laxmi Gurung, local Minu Kunwar and Police Assistant Constable Ramesh Dhami were attacked and beaten up, said Ward Chairman Budha of Himali Rural Municipality-3. 'We, the locals of Lampata, were attacked, our houses have been occupied,' said Ward Chairman Budha.

Meanwhile, a team of 28 people, including Dhangadhi Mayor Gopal Hamal, who had reached Lampata on Tuesday to visit Ranisain, and a joint team of 35 people from Himali Rural Municipality, were threatened and not allowed to go to Ranisain.

Bajura Chief District Officer Dorendra Niraula said that he had received information that the residents of Lampata, which is home to only six families, were taken into custody by the residents of Kharpunath, beaten up, and held hostage. ‘Efforts are being made to bring the five injured people down for treatment,’ said Pradya Niraula, ‘It is difficult because it is a place without communication links.’

Pradya Niraula said that he would take the responsibility of providing security to the tourist team, including the mayor of Dhangadhi, and said that the Humla police administration was negligent. "Humla told us that they had sent a security team including a police inspector, but it is understood that the security team protected us when the locals of Kharpunath were abusing and obstructing us in Lampata," said Pradya Niraula.

After the clash, Home Secretary Rajkumar Shrestha called the MPs of Bajura and Humla and made an agreement not to obstruct anyone on a tourist trip.

Karna Bahadur Rawal, chairman of Kharpunath Rural Municipality in Humla, said that the protest was against the establishment of a police post in their area. ‘We were obstructed because we did not have any contact or agreement when establishing a police post in our area,’ said Chairman Rawal. ‘We have already told all the teams going to Ranisain, including the mayor of Dhangadhi, not to go because of the disputed situation at the moment.’

But although Kharpunath of Humla claimed that a police post was being built in his area in Lampata, the Bajura side has stated that this claim is not true. ‘There is no connection between the border dispute and the border area between Humla and Bajura.’ Naresh Kumar Shahi, the provincial MP for that area of ​​Bajura, said, ‘The area including Ranisain, Gumba, Lampata is a repository of valuable herbs and wildlife. Some businessmen and politicians from Humla have been dominating these resources for years.’ Their inner fear is that if a police post is established now, there will be obstacles.'

Advocate Pur Bahadur Rawat says that the entire measurement, map and jurisdiction of the Lampata and Ranisain areas lies with Bajura. According to him, former Humla MP Chhakka Bahadur Lama bought Te Bhote's land in Chhyachaur in Lampata and passed his resignation to the Bajura Land Revenue Office. Even now, he pays the revenue from that land to the Himali Rural Municipality. Lama is a herbalist in the area.

Lama has urged residents of both areas not to give in to the incitement of some people. He wrote on social media, 'The loss of wealth and people will be a loss! Be patient! Since yesterday, the way the residents of both districts have been enjoying the forest traditionally with mutual understanding, it is wise to enjoy it in the same tradition and way.'

What is the Ranisain area like

The Ranisain, Vichhya, Lampata area of ​​Bajura occupies 40 percent of the total area of ​​Bajura. This area is considered a repository of Bajura's herbs and rare wildlife. Although there are 11 settlements in this area, including Bam, Rumdi, Lampata, Gumba, Neta, Boudi, Kot, Kotigau, Tin, Deusain, and Yuna of Himali-3 in Bajura, the population is only 810.

A security guard in Bajura said that traders have built a human-free smuggling route from this area to Hilsa. 'The fear of tourists' movement and activities in Ranisain and the theft and smuggling that has been going on in that area being made public has also hindered tourists,' said Bajura's provincial MP Naresh Kumar Shahi.

Bajura's Chief District Officer Niraula said that the internal reason for not allowing a police post in the area was the fear of hindering theft and smuggling. 

The ward chairman of the area, Mangal Budha, says that dozens of valuable herbs and rare wildlife species including Yarsagumba, Jatamsi, Panchaunle, Kutki, Banalsun are found in the area.