KATHMANDU, Dec 24: UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has criticized India for imposing a blockade on neighbor Nepal without any justification as there is no dispute over any bilateral issue.
Speaking at a press meet organized to inform the decision made by the party's central committee meeting, concluded on Tuesday, Dahal said that Indian blockade has no convincing rationale. "There is no reason whatsoever why Nepal should face blockade by India just for promulgating a new constitution as we do not have any dispute on even a single matter," said Dahal. Recalling that India had blockaded Nepal in 1989 after the expiration of bilateral trade treaty, he said there is no plausible reason for the current Indian blockade.
He further said that since Nepal is already suffering from the 7.6 magnitude April earthquake, the Indian blockade is unjust to the country. "It is unjust to impose blockade on a country ravaged by a devastating earthquake," said Dahal.
Dahal was of the view that the problem of blockade with India should be resolved through a diplomatic way. "Let's not evaluate the blockade always from negative perspective, it could be taken as an opportunity for a mulling for self sustainability of our country," said Dahal.
Insisting that internal problems in the country should be resolved through dialogue and amendments to the constitution, Dahal said that UCPN (Maoist) is sympathetic to the Madhes movement. "Being an advocate of the rights of backward communities, UCPN (Maoist) should take initiatives to resolve this problem," he said.
He said that dispute on provincial boundaries can be resolved by forming a high level political committee. Dahal claimed that UCPN (Maoist) is flexible to solve the dispute adopting maximum flexibility and even increasing number of provinces.
Stating that government and political leadership should identify the genuine demands of Madhes, Tharus and other indigenous communities Dahal stressed on solving the issue through political level amending the constitution. He was of the view that UCPN (Maoist) can play a role of bridge among agitating parties and government side to solve the problem.
Published on: My Republica (December 24, 2015)
