BAHRAICH: Changing moods of rivers have often caused border dispute between India and Nepal. Every year, several border pillars are either washed away by the flood or get damaged and the two countries have to start all over again the exercise of demarcation which only furthers the dispute.

Ghaghra and Saryu rivers at Bahraich, Rapti at Shravasti and Sharda at Lakhimpur-Kheri enter the Indian territory from Nepal. The rivers spread to several kilometers on the Nepal border, several pillars of which stand in the middle of their course.

The rivers have run into several other points in the past decade and their course has changed. The pillars which used to be on the other side of the border are now placed across the river. There are many such border pillars which stand in the course of the river and it is a tough job to identify them, thus creating difficulty, making Maoist organisations of Nepal point a finger at India.

Although when the joint survey team of India and Nepal demarcated the border, it proved baseless. The Maoists organisation still allege India has taken illegal possession of many parts of Nepali land. It is not true but the changing course of the rivers makes it seem to be true.

The situation also makes the job of the intelligence department and Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB) difficult. The problem is not confined to Bahraich, Shravasti and Lakhimpur, but extends to other areas too where the rivers enter the Indian territory from Nepal confusing the border officers.

District majistrate Bahraich Kinjal Singh says a joint survey team of India and Nepal identifies such border pillars every three years for demarcation. Besides, whenever the issue arises in the meeting of the border officials every three months, it is discussed and a solution is worked out.

The Times of India