Food crisis has been looming in the northern parts of Taplejung district after the Chinese authorities sealed Olangchungola border point since the last five months. The locals of Olanchungola, Yangma, Ghunsa, Phale, Topkegola and adjoining villages are finding difficulties now to manage foodstuffs. People living in the northern parts of Taplejung depend upon Tibetan markets for food and other essential goods. As the Olanchungola has been sealed since long, the villagers have started coming to the district headquarters in search of food. The border was sealed initially due to the heavy snowfall. But the Chinese authorities started prohibiting Nepalis from entering their territory after followers of the Dalai Lama began protesting against the Chinese crackdown in Tibet. According to District Administration Office (DAO) Taplejung, China sealed the border fearing anti-China activities. Hundreds of Tibetan refugees have been living in Taplejung district. However, not a single instance of anti-China protests has manifested in the district to date. Chhiring Dolma Sherpa, an official of the Kanchanjangha Conservation Area Project informed that the DAO would provide 50 kg rice to each family who reached the district headquarters for food. One kilogram rice purchased from the district headquarters will be about 15 rupees dearer in comparison to the rice bought from Tibet. "The villagers of those areas have demanded foodstuff on a large scale," said Chief District Officer Phanindramani Pokharel. Posted on: 2008-04-23 19:52:30 (Server Time)