China’s fuel oil supply to Nepal in the wake of over a month of unofficial Indian blockade to the landlocked Himalayan country fueled the trouble along the southern border. Chinese oil supply has added the anger of Indian backed Nepal’s Madhesi agitators already protesting against the new constitution of Nepal.
They went berserk on Monday (Nov 2), burnt the Chinese flag and set fire on a police post at Nepal’s border town Birganj. In retaliation police opened fire killing a person who was later identified as Ashish Ram,30, an Indian national. Apprehending escalation of trouble, Birgunj administration imposed curfew in the town for an indefinite period.
Angers boils over
The presence of Indian nationals in the Madhesi agitation clearly proved its active support to the anti-government agitation in Nepal. What is more significant is the entry this week of three or more teams of high-level Indian security officials in the troubled Birgunj violating the border rules. They did not care objections of Nepali police.
According to local witnesses, armed with sophisticated weapons Indian security teams escorted a group of unidentified VIP persons. They returned after several hours. None could explain the purpose of their visit to the troubled area. But Satya Narayan Mondal, Nepal minister without portfolio smelled rat in the movement of Indian security officials within Nepal territory.
He told a press conference at Biratnagar on Monday: “India is preparing to send army into Nepal without uniform to further its interests. In the present context, India cannot send uniformed army. But the army without uniform is more dangerous than one in uniform. India is trying to impose neocolonialism in Nepal. But we are not India’s servants.”
Asked how current Madhesi movement will end with India’s interests vis-a- vis delineation of Nepal provinces unfulfilled, Satya Narayan Mondal made an interesting revelation. “I have heard Indian consulates based in Bratnagar and Birgunj are preparing for return of the investment, pointing that their “plan has come to a cropper.”
Many wonder if India, a regional power, will continue fanning up the trouble in Nepal seeking a pretext of annexing the Terai region. Annexing the region, comprising 20 districts inhabited mostly by those came from Bihar and UP and settled there, was planned by late Indian Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi in 1975 when she found none of the international community raised a finger for her annexing Sikkim the year before. The task was allegedly given to its spy agency RAW which has been diligently working on the plan.
Madehis burn Chinese flags
Many believe the on-going Madhesi agitation against the Nepal’s new constitution is part of the plan. Some, however, say geopolitical situation has now vastly changed. Such attempt by Delhi may entail many risks. India already faces problems with Pakistan in Kashmir front, with Maoists in the central India and insurgency in northeast India.
The government leaders of Nepal in talks with Madhesi leaders on Sunday accepted their demands of redrawing the map of the six new provinces ensuring proportional representation of Madhesi people. They reportedly appreciated the government approach. However, the Madheshi leaders pulled out of talks held in Kathmandu after Monday’s incident, casting a shadow over future negotiations. Dubbed as the “decisive talks” between government representatives and the Madhesi Front, but it failed to make any headway.
The Front leader Rajendra Mahato threatened to launch widespread protests against China for entering into fuel oil supply deal with Nepal. Youth leaders and activists of United Democratic Madhesi Front were irked at China’s move of supplying fuel oil to help Nepal cope with the covert Indian blockade. They brought out protest demonstrations at different towns including Parsa, Birgunj, Ghataghar and Chowk. The protesters shouted slogans “Back off China” – and set fire to Chinese flag. They alleged China supported Pahad (hilly) people against Madhesi interests.
Police arrested central member of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Sanjaya Yadav, district chairman of Sadbhawana Party Imdad Gaddhi and Om Prakash Sarraf of Nepal Pariwar Dal for burning Chinese flag. Police were looking for others involved in the incident. Madhesi leaders frankly admitted they have torched the flag in protest of China’s support in easing fuel crisis in Nepal.
Meanwhile, 12 tankers carrying 100 tons of fuel oil from Kerung Pass of Tibet reached Kathmandu Monday evening. It is the first lot of 10,000 tons pledged by China as grant.
Direct Sino-Nepal trade begins
With arrival of Chinese fuel oil in Nepal, India has lost its longstanding status as Nepal’s sole fuel provider. Under the deal signed in Beijing, China will supply oil to Nepal at international rate, which Kathmandu may find cheaper than imports from India.
“India is not lifeline any more as Nepal signs pact with China” laments the daily Times of India known as close to the Indian government. Nepal has requested China for opening up six more routes linking the southern neighbor with Tibet for increasing volume of trade between the two countries. Nepal has sought for duty-free access of its goods to China.
Delhi involves UN
Meanwhile, the strain in Nepal-India relations spilt into the United Nations with India slamming Nepal for what it said extra-judicial killing, violence and ethnic discrimination. In a scathing statement in UNHRC India expressed concern over the “lack of political progress in Nepal, particularly as firing has restarted after a lull.”
Accusing of continuing violence, extra-judicial killings and ethnic discrimination in the country, the statement urged Nepal government to investigate and take credible measures to prevent their recurrence. Problems facing Nepal are political in nature and cannot be resolved through force or a security-based approach, the statement added.
Earlier, two human rights organizations of Nepal – Informal Service Sector and Democratic Freedom & Rights Institute complained to the United Nations about India’s unilateral coercive measures by imposing economic blockade against the landlocked country.
Meanwhile, Indian ambassador in Nepal Ranjit Rae on Wednesday (Nov 4) met with former Prime Minister Madav Nepal to warn against growing anti-India sentiments being given to play in Nepal. He expressed deep concern over the spreading of anti-India sentiments across the country. He said India was not involved in the blockade and refuted the claim that India supported Madhesi protesters. It is not clear why the Indian ambassador chose to meet former prime minister instead of the incumbent who matters.
A report from Nepalgunj on Wednesday said hundreds of goods-loaded vehicles have been stranded at the check-post. Indian customs office did not issue customs clearance to the vehicles entering Nepal via Jamunaha border check point of Nepalgunj.
Indian Customs officials have prohibited the entry of the vehicles carrying goods and petroleum products from Tuesday afternoon, citing order from higher authorities.
Source: Weekly Holiday
