Nepalgunj, June 18 : The 15-member all-party team of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs and Human Rights Committee today made an on the spot inspection of the barrage built at the Raji river at Laxmanpur of Indian border district of Bahraich.

The inspection team led by committee chairman Som Prasad Pandey comprises committee members Sushil Koirala, Romi Gauchan, Ekanath Ranabhat, Narayan Singh Pun, Shiva Prasad Humagain, Bijaya Subba, Pashupati Chaulagai, Fatik Bahadur Thapa, Chandra Bahadur Shahi, Govinda Bickram Shaha, Navaraj Suvedi, Narayan Man Bijukchhe, Lilamani Pokharel and Basu K.C.

The team yesterday inspected the Nepali territory in the southern part of Banke district likely to be submerged as a result of the construction of a dam in the border area of India.

The team is on a visit here in line with the directives given by Speaker Taranath Ranabhat on June 16 to the Foreign Affairs and Human Rights Committee to study the social and environmental impact on the people of the area caused by the construction of a dam by India across the Rapti river in the Indian side of the border. Meanwhile, at a press conference organised by the committee here today, its chairman Pandey said that the committee will undertake study of the various aspects of the damages likely to be caused by the dam and present the report in the House.

He said that Indian side has not taken permission from Nepal for the construction of the dam and an agreement had not been signed between the two countries for the dam within eight kilometres as required by international law.

Committee member and general secretary of the Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala said that HMG should hold talks with India to find a just solution to the problem.

Committee member and president of the Nepal Peasants and Workers Party Narayan Man Bijukchhe said that India had given compensation for the area inundated by the Koshi river but at present as the dam has been constructed without any agreement there was no position for receiving compensation.

Stating that the government should stop the construction of the dam, he said that had the government given attention to this matter in time, this situation would not have arisen.

Committee member Romi Gauchan said that studies would be undertaken for the long-term and short-term impact of the dam and as HMG was holding talks with the Indian government on the basis of silent diplomacy, it should be speeded up.

Committee member Pashupati Chaulagai said that the committee would prepare its report as soon as possible.