The Communist Party in India (Marxist), widely known as CPI(M), on Thursday accused the ruling BJP-led NDA alliance government for adopting “bullying policy” towards Nepal and asked the central government to take “immediate” steps to clear obstructions at border crossings between the two countries in consultation with Kathmandu.
Scores of trucks have been stranded at a crossing in the southern town of Birgunj for nearly six weeks, cutting off supplies and forcing fuel rationing across the landlocked Himalayan nation.
In a crackdown that dashed hopes of a compromise between the government and demonstrators, Nepali security forces on Monday broke up the blockade for a few hours, sparking violent protests and leading to the death of an Indian man in police firing.
In the editorial of forthcoming issue of party mouthpiece ‘People’s Democracy’, former CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat reiterated the Left outfit’s stand that the centre’s alleged bullying tactics stem out of its projection of New Delhi as a big power in the region and set to strain ties with Nepal, reports PTI.
“The Modi government should stop this bullying policy. It should immediately take steps to clear the obstructions in the border crossings in consultation with the Nepali government,” Karat insisted.
He accused Prime minister Narendra Modi and the BJP of willing to harm relations with Nepal for the sake of winning support of the Madhesis.
The Madhesis have a substantial trans-border presence in the neighbouring areas of Bihar and were opposed to promulgation of Constitution in September this year, keeping in mind the local assembly elections in the northern state.
The problems of Madhesis and janjatis should be amicably resolved by political process within Nepal and Centre must exercise its influence with Madhesi groups to see that the negotiations are resumed for this purpose, he said.
Meanwhile, India has reiterated that violence and instability in parts of Nepal has worsened after the adoption of the new Constitution.
Addressing the 23rd session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Wednesday, the Indian representative said “Problems facing Nepal are political in nature and cannot be resolved through force or a security-based approach,” reported Kathmandu Post.
Indian side offered a four point recommendation to the Nepali government, which includes: (1) Consolidation of the constitution building and democratisation process by accommodating all sections of Nepal to enable broad-based ownership and participation, (2) Ensuring effective functioning of Truth and Reconciliation Commission and full implementation of its recommendations, including prosecution; (3) Ensuring the independence and financial autonomy of the National Human Rights Commission, and (4) Setting up of an independent Commission for children and women.
Responding to the statement made by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa regarding the unofficial blockade, the Indian team reiterated that the obstruction of supplies was due to disturbance at Nepal-India border by Nepali protestors.
The US warned Thursday of a looming “humanitarian crisis” in quake-hit Nepal which is facing crippling shortages of vital supplies as protesters block a key checkpoint bordering India, AFP reported.
In a statement, the US embassy in Kathmandu said it was “deeply concerned by the increasingly volatile situation along the Nepal-India border, resulting in critical shortages of fuel, medicine, and foodstuffs.”
“Lives are at stake, and we are concerned that a humanitarian crisis may result.”
The blockade that began on September 24 has forced international aid organisations to halt relief operations for tens of thousands of quake victims just weeks before winter.
In the embassy statement, the US urged all parties to return to the negotiating table, joining Nepal’s regional ally India in calling for talks to resolve the crisis.
The constitution, the first drawn up by elected representatives, was meant to cement peace and bolster Nepal’s transformation to a democratic republic after decades of political instability and a 10-year Maoist insurgency.
But it has resulted in deadly violence with more than 40 people killed in clashes between police and protesters.
