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Online Khabar

Kathmandu, October 9. A lawmaker from Nepali Congress has said India has imposed a blockade against Nepal to cause hardships to Nepali people. Lawmaker Bharat Kumar Shah said this at a time when his party is hesitating to call continuing obstructions in the supply of essentials from India a blockade.

Speaking at the Legislature-Parliament meeting on Friday, lawmaker Shah said, “Regardless of whoever says what, India has imposed a blockade against us. This is the third time India has enforced a blockade against us.”

Shah, elected from Rupandehi district, said some people are attacking Nepali people and security personnel in his district by taking refuge across the border in India.

“We should take diplomatic initiatives with India. India blockaded Nepal after removal of its army from Nepal’s northern border in 2027 BS (1970) and after Nepal procured arms from China in 1988. And now, we are facing a blockade for introducing a constitution.”

“The covert embargo is against international conventions and the United Nations’ Charter.Nepal should appeal to the international community against this blockade,” UML lawmaker Bhim Rawal.

All parties should mobilise their cadres along the border against this blockade, he said. Shah called all parties to unite against the embargo.

UML lawmaker Bhim Rawal said the covert blockade is against international conventions and the United Nations’ Charter.

Nepal should appeal to the international community against this blockade, he said.

“Madheshi parties have been calling the government to implement past agreements,” Rawal noted.  “Why can’t they urge India to implement agreements to which it is a party,” he said.

UCPN-Maoist lawmaker Agni Sapkota said the government has failed to internationalise the embargo. He described the Indian embargo as criminal.

Sapkota, who had recently visited Liping along the Nepal-China border, said the government has not taken initiatives to reopen the Tatopani customs. “I talked to all sides. It became clear that the government has not taken any initiative to reopen the customs.” Some ministers want to resolve the crisis by appeasing India, Sapkota said.