Protesters block Nepal’s major trade checkpoint with India

According to sources, Mr Rae told the Nepalese leader that the obstruction was due to unrest, protests and demonstrations on the Nepalese side, by sections of their population. But Nepal has frequently railed against what it calls meddling in its affairs by its large southern neighbour. NOC on Friday said International Olympic Committee refused to dispatch petroleum products from its Raxaul, Baitalpur and Siliguri depots, citing various reasons such as mechanical failure at the Baitalpur depot and orders from its headquarters to the Siliguri depot not to dispatch oil.

Nepal is facing serve food and fuel crises as India has allegedly closed down its borders with Nepal and 900 trucks carrying food, fuel and other items to this land locked Himalayan state have been halted at Nepal-Indian border. The Madhesis, Indian-origin inhabitants of the plains, are up against the new charter, alleging that it doesn’t protect their rights and interests.

Aides close to Oli and Nepal said that Rae said the Nepal government deputing Forest Minister Mahesh Acharya, a close confidant of Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, for talks with the agitating Madhes-based parties was a welcome step.

“With the constitution already in dispute, Bhattarai’s resignation will… naturally encourage the protesters”, said Lok Raj Baral, executive chairman of the Nepal Centre for Contemporary Studies.

India is allegedly involved in political unrest in Nepal with the support of non-government organizations and certain political parties as India wishes to conquer this tiny independent state through its trade hegemony. India and Nepal share an open border and are bound by long-standing economic, cultural and ethnic ties.

Claiming that India has imposed an unannounced blockade on Nepal, the former premier also asked the government to take diplomatic initiatives to solve the issue at the earliest. This has led to vital supplies being blocked from entering Nepal. This is Nepal’s first official reaction since the disruption of supplies began 3 days ago. “With major festivals like Diwali and Dussehra around the corner, we have requested China to resume border operation as soon as possible”, said Naindra Prasad Upadhyaya, Secretary at the Ministry.