Indian vehicles carrying food, fuel trickle into Nepal amid shortages due to

The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) is considering flying in fuel to the landlocked nation as it continues to face a crippling shortage of petroleum products.

Anti-India protests also erupted in the capital, Kathmandu, on Monday, during which demonstrators accused the country of meddling in Nepal’s internal affairs and of imposing this economic blockade as a result of India’s alleged unhappiness with the new constitution.

As relations with India have soured there has been increased speculation in Kathmandu over whether fuel could be imported to Nepal from its other large neighbour China, India’s rival in the Himalayas.

Fuel is now being rationed in Nepal.

“Now our PM is back in India (from the USA visit), I would request him to take cognizance of the Nepal situation”.

India has built up pressure on various political stakeholders in Nepal to reach an understanding to resolve the standoff on the border as the Bihar assembly polls are nearing.

New Delhi has denied the accusations and urged Nepal to defuse tensions over the constitution in its southern plains.

He said the movement of goods has significantly reduced due to the security problems in the border areas amid ongoing protests launched by the Madhesi groups opposing the promulgation of the new Constitution. At least 40 people, mostly protestors, have been killed in violent clashes since August.