Parliamentarians want Laxmanpur embankment demolished
Parliamentarians have asked the government to take immediate initiatives to demolish the embankment constructed by the Indian government in Laxmanpur in bordering Banke district, which has caused floods in several Terai villages.
Expressing concern over the damage caused by the flood in mid-western Terai due to the embankment on Rapti River, the parliamentarians said the government must take diplomatic efforts to convince India to demolish the controversial embankment.
Speaking during the Special Hour of the parliament Friday, the lawmakers also criticised the government for not being serious to lessen the woes of Nepali people due to the embankment.
They said the government must take the issue to international forums if the Indian government does not demolish the illegally constructed embankment.
At least six villages in Banke have been inundated by Friday as the water could not drain to India since the drainage of the flood has been blocked by the 13-km long embankment.
Governments in the past had asked India to stop the construction of the embankment, but Indian side turned deaf ear to Nepal's request.
For the last two years, the Nepal government has not held any talks with India on embankment issue.
The embankment is only 300 m away from pillar no.19 of Nepal-India border.
Meanwhile, a team of National Human Rights Commission's regional office in Nepalgunj visited the embank area today. According to NHRC, the Indian authority has opened all 14 doors of the embankment for water drainage. nepalnews.com ia July 27 07
