Nepal’s people angry with India

PRASHANT ACHARYA

, EOI, KAKARVITTA, 29 Sep 2015:  Nepalese citizens across the border in Kakarvitta have started venting their anger at India after goods-laden trucks from India were stopped from entering Nepal by Indian security forces at the Panitanki border. Cable operators in Nepal have blocked Indian media channels while Indian newspapers are not being allowed in. There has been a sharp rise in shortage of fuels leading to black marketing of petrol and diesel.

Sudhir Parajuli, president of the Nepal Cable Television Association, said they decided to block Indian channels as "India has been intruding in the internal affairs of Nepal". Hundreds of goods trucks are stranded at the Panitanki border with the queue snaking up to 2km. Amid such a situation, supplies of essentials including sugar, salt and cooking gas are getting affected. According to Indian security forces, they have stopped the trucks following instructions from the Centre given the ongoing volatile situation in Nepal.

Meanwhile, perishable goods laden in the trucks have started rotting and the locals fear of an epidemic. Ashim Shrestha, a businessman in Kakarvitta, alleged, "India, purportedly a true friend of Nepal, has suddenly turned into a foe and is not letting goods come through just to create a shortage with the intention to paralyse our nation as the constitution was not drafted the way India had wanted." Word is around that a Maoist splinter party has started a door-to-door campaign urging people not to watch Indian movies and TV channels. Tourists, traders and regular commuters across the porous border have stopped movement fearing violence.