Nepal Dy PM meets Rajnath, talks situation in country

Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa on Sunday met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed with him the situation in the Himalayan country in the wake of “blockade” by Madhesi parties, protesting against the new Constitution.

The meeting comes a week after KP Sharma Oli government took charge in Nepal and reached out to <g data-gr-id="24">Mahdhesis</g> to resolve the imbroglio. India had expressed hope that Oli would carry all sections of the society along so that there <g data-gr-id="25">is</g> peace and stability in Nepal.

Thapa apprised Singh about the prevailing situation in Nepal, which has plunged into a crisis following the blockade as <g data-gr-id="28">supply</g> of essential goods has been squeezed after the violent agitation in southern plains by Indian-origin Madhesis.

Sources said the Home Minister advised the Thapa to do the needful to allay the apprehensions of Madhesis. Over 40 people have died in clashes between the police and the protesters.

The Madhesis and Tharu ethnic groups are protesting for more representation in the Constitution. They also see the model to split Nepal into seven federal provinces as flawed and discriminatory to their rights.

Nepal had alleged that India has imposed an “economic blockade” on the country following the announcement of its Constitution. But India had rejected the allegation. One of the main transit point at Birgunj bordering Raxaul in India has been blocked for over two weeks. Other <g data-gr-id="31">check-points</g> at Bhairahawa-Sunauli and Biratnagar-Jogani, however, have been partially opened.

India on Thursday had decided to tighten security along its porous border with Nepal to check movement of Jehadi elements, smuggling of fake Indian currency notes and narcotics. Of the 1,751-km-long Indo-Nepal border, 263 km falls in Uttarakhand, 560 km in UP, 729 km in Bihar, 100 km in West Bengal and 99 km in Sikkim.