Relations hit new low as Indian is killed in Nepalese firing in border town

Modi speaks to Nepal PM, expresses shock over Indian man's killing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke to his Nepal counterpart K.P. Sharma Oli and expressed shock over the killing of a youth from Bihar in police firing in the Himalayan nation.

Modi condemned the "unfortunate killing" and requested for details of the incident from Nepal.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nepal PM K.P. Oli and has expressed shock and condemned the unfortunate killing of a youngster from Bihar due to police firing in Nepal. PM (Modi) has requested for details of the incident from Nepal," said a release from the Prime Minister's Office. It said Modi urged the Nepalese leaders to work towards ensuring an early and effective solution to the crisis.

Modi's response came after Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on Monday warned India not to interfere in the Himalayan nation's internal affairs.

Tensions inflamed by anti-constitution sentiments flared anew on Monday with agitating activists of Madhes-based political parties clashing with the police in Nepal's southern city of Birgunj.

An Indian national died in police firing in the Nepali border town -- the victim was a resident of Raxaul across the border in Indian Bihar.

Hours after the death of the Indian national, Oli at a public function in Kathmandu criticised the Indian policy concerning Nepal, particularly after the the promulgation of the new federal republican constitution on September 20.

The much awaited charter has evoked strong resentment from the southern Nepali Terai region where the Madhesi political parties as also indigenous groups have launched a violent protest alleging that their interests have been again ignored.

Oli accused India of "propping up" the Madhes-based political parties to impose blockades at major customs points along the 1751-km open border between the two neighbours.

"Why is India rallying behind the four Madhes-based parties," he asked, adding that it was Nepal's responsibility to address the grievances of the various agitating groups.

"The constitution is not targeted against any country," he said, adding that it was promulgated with 96 percent of the Constituent Assembly members voting in its favour.

Following the death of the Indian national in Birgunj, the Madhesi political parties warned that they will not sit down for talks with the government in Kathmandu.

The release from the Indian Prime Minister's Office said: "On supply of fuel and other essentials, PM (Modi) assured that there is no obstacle from the Indian side. At the same time, PM urged Nepalese leaders to work towards ensuring an early and effective solution to the crisis."

The deceased was identified as Asish Kumar Ram, 24. He belonged to Raxaul in Bihar.

He was shot dead during protests in Nepal's Birgunj city close to the Indian border.

Madhes-based political parties in Nepal are unhappy over the new constitution and the concept of federalism and have been demonstrating at the border points, choking the supply of essential supplies from India and causing widespread shortage. Birgunj is a key point from where essential commodities and fuel from India enter Nepal.