New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly took up with his Nepali counterpart KP Oli the killing of an Indian citizen in police firing during a protest in Nepal close to the international border,
Condemning the "unfortunate killing", the prime minister sought details about the incident from his Nepali counterpart..
Modi also called upon the leadership in the Himalayan nation to work towards "an early and effective solution to the crisis" over agitation by Madhesi parties concerning the country's new constitution.
New Delhi said it was deeply concerned about the violence in which an "innocent Indian" was killed. "Issues facing Nepal are political in nature and cannot be resolved by force. Causes underlying the present state of confrontation need to addressed by Nepal credibly and effectively," said foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup.
"We are monitoring the situation carefully," he said.
Asish Kumar Ram, 24 who was believed to be from Raxaul in Bihar died after he was caught in police firing in Nepal's Birgunj town, around 90 km from Kathmandu.
He sustained bullet injuries on the head and was declared dead at the Narayani Hospital. Its medical director Imamul Haq said Ram was dead even before reaching the hospital.
Police reportedly fired dozens of bullets and tear gas shells after being heavily pelted with stones by protesters near the Indian border. Many protesters were injured by rubber bullets fired by the security forces.
Hours after the death of the Indian man, Oli at a public function in Kathmandu criticised the Indian policy concerning Nepal, particularly after the promulgation of the new federal republican constitution on September 20.
Oli, in his speech, accused India of "propping up" the Madhes-based political parties to impose blockades at major customs points along the 1,751-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.
Nepal is reeling under severe and chronic shortage of fuel, essential commodities and medicines due to the border blockade.
It has accused India of imposing an unofficial blockade at the border while New Delhi maintains that transportation of essentials and other goods was hampered by the ongoing violent agitation within land-locked Nepal.
The agitating parties in a statement said talks with the government were unlikely to make any headway in the new emerging context.
(With Inputs from IANS)
