Strike against ‘Indian border blockade’; 38 held in Nepal

E-Paper | June 06, 2026

KATHMANDU: Police in Nepal arrested 38 protesters on Sunday for trying to enforce a strike against neighbouring India, which is accused of orchestrating a weeks-long border blockade that has caused crippling fuel shortages.

Many shops were closed in the capital Kathmandu and traffic was thin on the roads after the strike called by a small hardline opposition Communist party.

“We have arrested 38 people for trying to block roads and vandalise vehicles,” police spokesman Kamal Singh Bam said. Protests at the border over Nepal’s new constitution have led to crippling fuel shortages in the landlocked Himalayan nation, while medicines are also running short.

Nepal is heavily dependent on giant India for fuel and other supplies, but little cargo has crossed their main checkpoint since protests broke out in late September.

Movement across other border checkpoints has also slowed to a crawl, prompting Nepal’s government to accuse India — which has criticised the new constitution — of retaliating with an “unofficial blockade”.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2015

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Vijay salem

Nov 30, 2015 01:35pm

Why these protests?you decided to side with China and stick to it.if you want the supplies again simply right your wrongs.Don't try to ride two horses at the same time.

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Harsh

Nov 30, 2015 02:11pm

Strange behavior by Nepalis. How can one country force another country to trade with it? blockade or otherwise. They have disenfranchised 40% of their own population and are blaming India which these 40% have enforced a blockade. There is no similar case where people of one country get so many privileges in another country. Nepalis can travel to India without visa, yes without visa, study in India, work in India, they can do everything that an Indian citizen can do except vote. Still, Fror years they have played China and India. We are done with the game. You can sign whatever deals you want with China and see how that works out. But don't for us to have trade or dealings. If it is profitable to us, we will do it, otherwise it is business.

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Harmony-1©

Nov 30, 2015 02:52pm

@Vijay salem - All countries have a right to trade with any country...no need to be a bully!

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Harsh

Dec 01, 2015 09:05am

@Haramony-1© : All countries have a right to refuse trade too.

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Harmony-1©

Dec 01, 2015 02:41pm

@Harsh - So, you admit what Nepal has been complaining about - Indian refusal!