Nepal facing medicine shortages due to fuel crisis, blockade

The constitution, passed by Nepal’s communist-dominated parliament, is opposed by Madhesi nationalists – who object to the division of their traditional homeland between two new states – and the monarchist Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP).

In New Delhi, at a daily press briefing, India’s exterior affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup stated India will facilitate the protected passage of important drugs by means of re-routing or offering air amenities.

Most of the fuel comes from India, and the restriction has led to severe shortages in Nepal.

Vehicles carrying drugs and which at the moment are on the Indian aspect of the border in Raxaul-Birgunj can be re-routed via different Nepal-India entry factors and India will facilitate it, stated Swarup.

“All we can add is if the political challenges facing Nepal are addressed, we can hope it would assuage the concerns the protesters have leading to a return to peace and normalcy in the affected areas of the Terai, including the border crossings being now occupied by the Nepalese protesters and thereby improve the supply situation in the country”.

“Earlier, we didn’t let schools open fearing for safety of children as the security forces had been shooting indiscriminately”, said Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav.

Hospitals across the country are reeling under an acute shortage of medicines and other supplies.

This question should really be put to Government of Nepal and not to the government of India. The government of Nepal has accused India of imposing an undeclared blockade. “They are internal to Nepal and Nepalese leadership has to resolve them through dialogue with the agitating parties”, he said, replying to a question on the blockade along the Terai region bordering India.

Kathmandu: Miss Nepal 2015 today said she would raise the issue of economic blockade on the country’s southern border with India during her participation in the Miss World 2015 to take place in China next month.

Long queues of goods lorries and fuel tankers are stuck at the border town of Raxaul, waiting to cross to Birgunj on the Nepalese side.

Nepal has bee accusing India of imposing the blockade.

“Petrol and lubricants supplies continue to move to the extent possible”, he said.