After a young boy from India was killed in the clashes at the Indo-Nepal border, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Nepalese counterpart KP Oli and expressed "shock" over the unfortunate killing.
"The Prime Minister has expressed shock and condemned the unfortunate killing of a youngster from Bihar due to police firing in Nepal," the Prime Minister's Office said.
During the telephonic conversation, Modi expressed concern over the incident and requested for details, it said. 19-year-old Ashish Ram of Raxaul in Bihar was killed after he received a bullet shot in his head when police opened fire on protesters at Shankaracharya Gate near Birgunj Customs, Nepal Home Ministry sources said in Kathmandu.
"At the same time, the Prime Minister urged Nepalese leaders to work towards ensuring an early and effective solution to the crisis," the PMO added.
India also summoned Nepal Ambassador Deep Kumar Upadhyay and told him that it is "deeply concerned" over firing incidents in Birgunj. "India and Nepal have to resolve this issue as soon as possible. This should be treated on priority. Peaceful demonstrations are part of a democracy and we welcome it but when protesters turn violent such unfortunate incidents happen," the envoy said.
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.
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