Darchula, Dec. 7 -- The Tinkar area along the Nepal-China border in the northern part of Darchula district has effectively been left unguarded after security personnel deployed for border security and surveillance descended to Chhangru to escape the biting cold.

As the residents of Tinkar village began moving down to lower altitudes ahead of winter, security personnel also left the area in the first week of mid-November. An Area Police Office had been established at Chhiyalek near Tinkar and a Border Outpost (BOP) of the Armed Police Force (APF) was set up there two years ago. However, the security posts-which are located about two-and-a-half to three kilometres above Tinkar village-have now been vacated, with personnel relocating to Chh...