Dang (AsiaNews) - Over 2 thousand people have fled their homes in villages on the border with India, seeking refuge in the jungle. The exodus of the inhabitants of 22 villages across Dang district is because of violence perpetrated on them by soldiers of the Seema Surakshya Bal (Ssb), New Delhi border guards, and other armed Indian groups.
Prakash Pun, member of the 9th Village Development Committee (Vdc) in Rajpur, affirms: “They raid our homes and take away our women. When we try to protest they threaten to kill us”.
Very few abducted women return to their villages others remain in the hands of the Ssb. Lila Gharti, of Biruwa village in 2nd VDC Bela, was one of those who were released. She affirms: “We either have to submit ourselves or be shot dead”. The latest abduction victim was a 19 year old woman, who was taken on May 18. Villagers allege she is being sexually abused by her abductors.
Nepalese authorities confirm that since 2006 17 girls have disappeared from bordering Patauli, Sunpathri and Kalyani areas. In recent months abductions by the Indian army have increased and become more frequent.
The borders between India and Nepal are patrolled by the respective armed forces but are completely open to passage. Their demarcation at certain points has never been clearly defined and this has led to disputes over the presumed border on both sides.
New Delhi rejects all accusations. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu stated it had received no formal communication from Nepal government regarding the alleged incidents and attributed all news of the violence to media speculation. The Kathmandu government has said it will increase the military presence along the border. Meanwhile a parliamentary delegation led by Amik Sherchan, president of the Committee for the Protection of National Interests, is expected today in Dang on a fact finding mission.
