Fact Check: Former Thori Ward Chair’s Old Border Fencing Photos Resurface With Misleading Claims
असार ७, २०८३ १२:२९
Kathmandu. As discussions surrounding the Nepal-India border dispute intensify on social media, old photographs of former Thori Rural Municipality-3 ward chairperson Surya Bahadur Lama installing barbed wire along the border have resurfaced and gone viral. The images are being shared with claims that Lama recently took a “bold step” to protect Nepali territory amid growing concerns over border encroachment.
However, an investigation by the TechPana Fact Check Desk found the claim to be misleading. Surya Bahadur Lama is no longer the ward chairperson of Thori-3, and the barbed-wire installation shown in the viral images took place around six years ago. The old fencing has since been removed and replaced with a mesh fence.
Claim
The Facebook page ‘Juntara Khabar’ shared a post on June 16 at 11:58 a.m., claiming that the courageous ward chairperson had taken a major risk by installing barbed wire along the border.
As of the time this content was prepared, the post had received more than 4,000 reactions, 369 comments, and 289 shares. Check out the post, archive post, and screenshot.
Investigation
A similar post was published on June 18 at 8:48 a.m. by the Facebook page ‘Greater Nepal TV.’ The image carried the caption: “Brave ward chairman who took a huge risk to install barbed wire along 4.5 kilometers of the border.” By the time this report was prepared, the post had garnered more than 2,100 reactions, 174 comments, and 92 shares. Check out the original post and screenshot.
The same claim was also found circulating on TikTok. On May 17, 2026, the TikTok account ‘global.tiktok4’ shared a photo of Surya Bahadur Lama standing in front of a barbed-wire fence, accompanied by an AI-generated image depicting Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi seemingly arguing over border issues.
The image claimed: “According to Ward Chairman Surya Lama, continuous budget allocations over the past three years (Rs 1.5 million in the first year, Rs 1 million in the second year, and Rs 800,000 in the current fiscal year) helped complete barbed-wire installation along 4 kilometers of the total 5.5-kilometer border area.”
The post had received more than 8,000 likes and over 149,000 views. Check out the TikTok video, archive link, and screenshot.
Following the viral spread of the claim, we searched for reports about barbed-wire installation along the border by the chairperson of Thori Rural Municipality-3. During the search, we found a news report published by BBC Nepali six years ago.
The report, published on May 15, 2020, stated that Surya Bahadur Lama, then ward chairperson of Thori-3, had installed barbed wire along 4.5 kilometers of the ward’s 5.5-kilometer border with India. Lama had said the fencing was erected to reduce problems caused by mistreatment from across the border and damage from wild animals. The report also noted that the fencing project began around November 2017.
Since the viral claim appeared to be based on that earlier project, we examined whether Lama still holds the ward chair position.
An assessment of Thori Rural Municipality’s website showed that the current Ward No. 3 chairperson is listed as Shambhu Khadka, not Surya Bahadur Lama. When contacted by the TechPana Fact Check Desk, Chairperson Khadka confirmed that the barbed wire had been installed during Lama’s tenure but has since been replaced with mesh fencing.
“There used to be barbed wire there. After it became old, it was removed, and mesh fencing was installed,” Khadka said.
He added that the fencing work was carried out with the direct involvement of Nepal’s Armed Police Force, India’s SSB, and local representatives. According to him, a 30-foot buffer zone was maintained on both sides from the no-man’s land during installation.
Khadka said fencing has already been completed in more than four kilometers of the area. He noted that the ward’s border perimeter extends roughly nine kilometers and that plans are underway to expand mesh fencing further if budget allocations are secured. Discussions are ongoing with the Madhesh Province Ministry of Forests regarding funding.
He also clarified that there is no border dispute in the area.
“There is no boundary dispute here. The no-man’s-land is clearly defined. We installed the fencing while maintaining 30 feet on both sides of the boundary pillar,” Khadka said.
According to him, the primary purpose of the mesh fencing is to prevent wild animals such as blue bull, wild boars, and deer from entering Nepali farmland from across the border and damaging crops.
Khadka also shared photographs and videos with the TechPana Fact Check Desk showing discussions with security agencies and the ongoing installation of the mesh fence.
Claim
Amid the Nepal-India border dispute, Thori Rural Municipality-3 Ward Chairperson Surya Bahadur Lama installed barbed wire along the border.
Claimants
Social media users and pages including ‘Juntara Khabar,’ ‘Greater Nepal TV,’ and ‘global.tiktok4’.
Facts
The photo and claim circulating on social media are based on an incident that took place around six years ago. Surya Bahadur Lama, shown in the image, is the former ward chairperson of Thori Rural Municipality-3. The current ward chairperson is Shambhu Khadka.
The old barbed-wire fencing shown in the viral images has already been removed and replaced with mesh fencing installed with the involvement of security agencies from both Nepal and India. Chairperson Khadka confirmed that there is no border dispute in the area and that the fencing was intended to prevent wild animals from entering farmland.
Conclusion
The claim that Thori Rural Municipality-3 Ward Chairperson Surya Bahadur Lama recently installed barbed wire along the Nepal-India border is misleading. Lama is a former ward chairperson, and the fencing project shown in the viral images was carried out around six years ago. The old barbed wire has since been replaced with mesh fencing under the leadership of the current ward chairperson.
Feedback
You can send us social media posts that need fact-checking via our website or social media handles (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn), or email us at [email protected]. If you have any feedback or suggestions regarding fact-checking, you can send us an email.
पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: असार ७, २०८३ १२:२९
