BAJURA, JUNE 10
A fresh dispute has erupted in the Ranisain area of Himali Rural Municipality-3 in Bajura, with members of the Bhote community alleging that residents from neighbouring Humla forcibly evicted them and set fire to their temporary shelters and sheep sheds.
The incident comes barely two weeks after a separate clash and alleged assault in the nearby Lampata area, further escalating tensions over the disputed region.
According to local Bhote residents, a group from Humla drove out more than 35 Bhote families who had been seasonally residing in Ranisain with their sheep and horses. The families claim they were forced to move across a stream flowing from Ranisain Lake and that their temporary shelters were subsequently torched.
Janak Bhandari, chairman of the Bhote Indigenous Nationalities Federation, alleged that mobile phones belonging to community members were also seized during the incident. He said food supplies, utensils and other belongings stored in the sheep sheds were destroyed in the fire.
Videos circulating on social media appear to show burning sheds in the area. Another video reportedly shows a local resident from Humla claiming, in the presence of police personnel, that Ranisain belongs to Humla and that people from Bajura had been driven away.
The Bhote community has expressed concern over its security and called on authorities to ensure protection and conduct an impartial investigation into the alleged arson, assault and looting.
The latest incident follows earlier violence in the area. On May 19, a team visiting Ranisain to promote tourism, including Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City Mayor Gopal Hamal, was allegedly attacked. Several people, including Himali Rural Municipality Chief Administrative Officer Kul Bahadur Thapa and Ward Member Pemagara Gurung, were injured.
Locals say the dispute has further complicated the long-running controversy surrounding ownership and jurisdiction of the Ranisain area.
District authorities have yet to issue an official statement. Bajura Chief District Officer Dorendra Niraula said a police team was being deployed to ascertain the facts.
Bajura Police Chief Shaileshwari Bohara said a team led by Police Inspector Lakshiraj Joshi had already been dispatched to the site, while police from Humla had also reached the area earlier.
