Nepal PM strictly warns India not to interfere in its political affairs

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Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli at a public function in Kathmandu on Monday warned India not to interfere in the Himalayan nation’s internal affairs. He criticised India against the backdrop of the renewed tension along the India-Nepal international border. Tensions inflamed by anti-constitution sentiments flared anew on Monday with agitating activists of Madhes-based political parties clashing with the police in Nepal’s southern city of Birgunj. An Indian national died in police firing in the Nepal border town — the victim was a resident of Raxaul across the border in Indian Bihar. Hours after the death of the Indian national, Oli criticised the Indian policy concerning Nepal, particularly after the the promulgation of the new federal republican constitution on September 20. The much awaited charter has evoked strong resentment from the southern Nepal Terai region where the Madhesi political parties as also indigenous groups have launched a violent protest alleging that their interests have been again ignored. Oli accused India of “propping up” the Madhes-based political parties to impose blockades at major customs points along the 1751-km open border between the two neighbours.

“Why is India rallying behind the four Madhes-based parties,” he asked, adding that it was Nepal’s responsibility to address the grievances of the various agitating groups. “The constitution is not targeted against any country,” he said, adding that it was promulgated with 96 percent of the Constituent Assembly members voting in its favour. Following the death of the Indian national in Birgunj, the Madhesi political parties warned that they will not sit down for talks with the government in Kathmandu. Nepal is reeling under severe and chronic shortage of fuel, essential commodities and medicines due to the border-blockade.