India expresses deep concern over firing incidents in Birgunj

New Delhi: India on Monday expressed deep concern over firing incidents in Birgunj in which an Indian was killed on Indo-Nepal border and asked its freight transporters to exercise caution and not put themselves in danger, an advisory which may deepen the supply crisis to the Himalayan nation.

The government also said that it was monitoring the situation carefully.

"We are deeply concerned at reports coming in of firing today in Birgunj. An innocent Indian was also killed in the firing. Issues facing Nepal are political in nature and cannot be resolved by force. Causes underlying the present state of confrontation need to addressed by the government of Nepal credibly and effectively," Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry Vikas Swarup said.

He said Indian freight forwarders and transporters have voiced their worries again today about the deteriorating situation across the border.

"We are advising them to exercise caution and not put themselves in danger. We are monitoring the situation carefully," he added.

Since the promulgation of the Constitution in Nepal in September, the Indian-origin Madhesi population has been agitating as they believe the country's new Constitution discriminates against them, denying them equal standing with other Nepalis.

The agitation obstructed supply of essential commodities including petrol thereby creating a crisis in Nepal, which accused India of imposing a "economic blockade", a charge denied by India.

India maintained that the supply was obstructed due to protests on the Nepalese side and asked the Nepal government to have political resolution of issues facing that country which should have broad-based ownership and acceptance of the Constitution by all section of the society including those disaffected agitating forces.