Obstruction from the Nepalese side due to ongoing protests by Madhesis, widespread tension in the Terai region and fragile law and order situation in several parts of Nepal has led to huge financial losses to Indian freight operators besides posing a threat to their lives.
Over 5,000 trucks are stuck at border points while several have been vandalised and damaged inside Nepal and several truckers and their helpers have been injured.
However, relief is in sight as the Nepalese Parliament sat down to review the new Constitution and opened talks with Madhesis.
Around 5,375 commercial cargo vehicles carrying food, petroleum, medicines, oxygen cylinders and other perishable/non-perishable items are waiting at five check points, namely Rupaidiha, Jogbani, Panitanki, Sunauli and Raxaul, to get into Nepal. But due to the fragile law and order situation not much movement was witnessed till 1 pm on Wednesday.
So slow is the pace of entry into Nepal that between Tuesday and Wednesday only 483 commercial cargo vehicles could managed to get in from several entry points. Besides, more than 200 trucks are stuck in Birgunj on their way back to India after unloading
goods in Kathmandu due to which the truckers are scared to send in more vehicles. As many as 70 Indian trucks were reported to be vandalised in Saptari area and several trucks were attacked in other areas. On October 5, two Indian truck helpers were injured in the violence.
These scary figures come at a time when the Nepalese Government has accused India of causing an “unofficial economic blockade” to pressurise them, an allegation that India has denied from the start.
“There is no official or unofficial blockade from our side. Our freight operators have expressed concerns with regard to safety and we have urged the Nepalese Government to provide security to trucks,” spokesperson for External Affairs Ministry Vikas Swarup maintained.
While both sides agree that the Indo-Nepal relationship is going through a difficult period, India is hopeful of the situation easing soon as the Parliament of Nepal sits down to amend the new Constitution and its top leaders engage with protesting Madhesis to address their concerns.
Violent protests in Nepal have left 48 dead and several seriously injured. In fact, tear gas shells fired at protestors have even landed in India.
On its part, India has repeatedly conveyed that it is for a united Nepal where the Constitutional framework is all inclusive. However, the new Constitution has led to deep division in the country and India fears that if not rectified now it can lead to a long term discontent and never-ending dispute. In fact, the Jan Jati leaders in Nepal on Wednesday met Indian Ambassador in Kathmandu, Ranjit Rae, to express anguish over the new Constitution and convey their intention to join Madhesis in their protests. The Indian side has been counseling and encouraging both Nepalese and the Madhesi leadership to sort out political differences.
As talks began in Kathmandu between the Government and Madhesis, Nepalese Ambassador in India Deep Kumar Upadhyaya struck a conciliatory tone and urged India to forget the negativities caused recently and look forward to a fresh beginning. He conceded that mistakes may have happened while drafting the Constitution but Nepal is now working to rectify those mistakes. “We are human. We may have faults. But there can be correction. There was dissatisfaction but our Government has realised it. Things will take off from here. A committee has been set up to resolve the dispute and adjust the demands with maximum flexibility,” Upadhyaya said.
In the same breath he added that the negativity caused between India and Nepal should be like a “bad dream” and both sides should come out of it now. “The Indian leadership has assured us that supplies will be restored soon,” he added. The envoy also clarified on his previous statements on tilting towards China saying: “It is wrong to say our priority is China. India-Nepal relationship is guided by history and culture. I agree any conflict in one country will impact the other.”
Meanwhile, Anil Kumar Rungta, a Madhesi leader and a lawmaker from Nepali Congress, who is in New Delhi, said they are pressurising the Government to make amends. “Our sensitivities were not taken care of, which is why some things were left out while drafting the Constitution. Our top leadership has told us that some important points were left out from the interim draft which will be restored now,” Rungta said.