Online Khabar

Kathmandu, October 4 . On the ground, the stifling Indian blockade against Nepal continues, indicating that a toned-down announcement from New Delhi on ending the same is but a ruse.

India has been imposing a blockade, pointing that the new constitution does not incorporate some of the Madheshi agendas. Despite news regarding the easing of blockade, the situation was much the same from Jhapa to Kailali.

Notably, government officials themselves had spread the word about the removal of the blockade. Among them, Supplies Minister Sunil Bahadur Thapa shared he had information that India will start easing the supply of essentials like petroleum products from Monday onwards.

Despite the announcement, Indian non-cooperation continues along the border points. The blockade has mainly affected the supply of petroleum products. Unless fuel supply eases, ‘the blockade has ended’ news will not make much of a difference.

Notably, the major trade point, Raxaul,  through which about 70 per cent of import and export activities take place, has not opened yet. On the Nepali side in Birgunj, United Democratic Madheshi Front leaders continue to stage a sit-in. The continued shutdown of this trade point means the Indian blockade has not ended.

And the situation in other Nepal-India trade points has not eased. This means the blockade is very much there.