Rights Activists Held in Nepal for Protesting Against India

Activists were arrested in Nepal for protesting the blockade of border points in front of the Indian Embassy.

An Indian truck returning from Birgunj, Nepal. India alleged that truck drivers are unwilling to go to Nepal. (Photo: PTI)

Over 30 rights activists were arrested on Thursday in Nepal for staging a protest in front of the Indian Embassy over a blockade of border points. Nepal alleged that India imposed the blockade, resulting in an acute shortage of essential goods in the land-locked country.

The sit-in, the second in a week, was organised by Human Rights and Peace Society and other rights groups as part of 10-day campaign, coinciding with the 67th World Human Rights Day. Around three dozen human rights activists were arrested for staging the protest in front of the Indian Embassy. Police said they would be released soon.

Senior rights activist Krishna Pahadi was among those arrested during the protest. The rights activists were carrying placards with slogans demanding an end to the alleged blockade by India. A placard being carried by a protester read, “(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi ji, end blockade, respect our sovereignty” while another said, “Indian blockade is crime against humanity.

Pahadi and other human rights activists were detained last week as well. India has denied imposing any blockade and said truck drivers are not ready to go to Nepal due to the ongoing agitation.

The Indian-origin Madhesi people have been opposing splitting the country into seven provinces after the promulgation of the new Constitution. Their major demands include re-demarcation of the boundary, inclusion of proportionate representation and allocation of Parliament seats on the basis of population.