According to the survey office, the Indian side has encroached upon about 20 hectares of Nepali territory between Pillar No 25 and 26 at Jhitakaiya VDC.

“The Indian side encroached upon our territory before our eyes and the government did not help us protect our land,” said Ramsakhi Dusadin of Jhitakaiya. She said Indian farmers had been cultivating their land.

“We have an authentic map that clearly shows that the encroached land belongs to Nepal,” said surveyor Dipak Kumar Singh at the office. Singh blamed authorities for not taking initiatives to stake claim on the encroached territory.

According to local people, Indian farmers backed by Indian police had captured their paddy field on Oct. 2, 2004. The victims submitted a memorandum to the then prime minister and local administration seeking help to get their land back, to no avail.

“Our own government did not help us. Authorities are indifferent to the issue of encroachment,” said Gopalji Prasad, another local.