PHUNGLING, March 16: The Olangchungola border checkpoint in Taplejung district has remained closed for the past 16 months. It has been closed since November, 2020.

China had closed movement across the border checkpoint, saying coronavirus might spread in neighbouring countries. 

Chairperson of Phaktanglung Rural Municipality-7, Chhetan Sherpa said that the Reu Administration of Tibet, China on January 30, 2020, had informed the Nepali side that it would not allow any movement through the border checkpoint for some time. The border checkpoint was closed after the Reu administration requested the Nepali side to stop movement across the border soon after the Chinese workers who had arrived here for road construction returned home. 

Locals of Yanga, Thudam, Olangchungola and Tokpegala depend on the Chinese markets across the border for daily essentials, especially during the rainy season. The locals cannot reach Phungling due to floods and landslides in the rainy season.   

Eight percent locals of Olangchungola, Yanga and Ghunsa areas of Phaktanglung Rural Municipality-7 depend on the Chinese markets, said Sherpa. 

He added, "The supply of daily essentials as well as other goods has come to a grinding halt due to the closure of the border checkpoint. Olangchungola lies 3,200 meters above sea level. Business and animal husbandry is the main occupation of the people in these areas.

 
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