KATHMANDU, Oct 5: Experts have suggested the government make public the report of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on Nepal-India relations.

In a meeting of the National Concern and Coordination Committee under the National Assembly held on Wednesday, they said the determination of the border between the two countries should be finalized and given an official status.

Expressing their view on the issues regarding Nepal-India relations, opportunities, problems and solutions, the experts laid emphasis on implementing the border map prepared by technical mechanisms of both countries taking a long time- 26 years.

On the occasion, EPG member and former Water Resources Secretary Suryanath Upadhyay asked the government through parliament to give an official status to the two-country border by determining disputed areas.     

He said, "As per border determination, it is necessary to remove encroachment at no man's land, to fence from one side if possible and to implement the mandamus of the Supreme Court regarding border and its regulation." Upadhyay shared that local governments and the police offices concerned should keep records of Indian nationals in Nepal and it should be updated every six months. Labor permits should be effectively implemented in both organized and unorganized sectors as per the labor law, according to him.

The EPG member further stressed the need to effectively raise issues like drug smuggling, human trafficking and other criminal activities in parliament as Nepal is facing challenges in peace and security due to such activities.

Similarly, former director general of the Survey Department, Toyanath Baral, said it was necessary to manage border regulation between the two countries in an integrated manner. He also suggested the government implement the border related map prepared by the EPG.

 
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