Dharchula residents want inner line back at Jauljibi

Our Correspondent

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Pithoragarh, December 7

Keeping in mind the security scenario in the country and terrorist threat, residents of Dharchula subdivision, situated at Indo-Nepal and Indo-China border on this part of country, have started a signature campaign demanding shifting of inner line from Chiyalekh at present to Jauljibi.

They argued that since Chiyalekh was at a distance of 60 km from Dharchula town, the border town of Dharchula had become a hub of activities of suspicious elements who could pose a security threat to the country.

“We have started a signature campaign from today to press for our demand of shifting inner line to Jauljibi like it was before 1998 so that the border town of Dharchula and areas surrounding it could become secure from intrusion of any anti-national elements,” said Ashok Nabiyal, former chairperson of the Dharchula urban body and a BJP worker.

According to Nabiyal, the crime graph has increased after the inner line was shifted to Chiyalekh in 1998 on the recommendations of the then District Magistrate of Pithoragarh district who saw no threat to this part of the nation in shifting the inner line. “Unidentified outsiders cannot be checked as anyone is free to enter Dharchula town as the border inner line restrictions start at Chiyalekh which is 60 km ahead of it,” said Nabiyal.

The border inner line, which was after the Indo-China conflict in the year 1962, was shifted to Chiyalekh on the plea that the step would increase tourism activities in border areas of high Himalayan region.

“When inner line was at Jauljibi, no unidentified or identified outsiders could remain in Dharchula beyond three days, but after it was shifted thousands of unidentified persons thronged the town, which needs to be curbed keeping the security scenario of the country in mind,” said Mahendra Singh Budiyal, a Dharchula trader and resident of border village of Budi in the Vyans valley.