Prime Minister KP Oli came down heavily on India on Friday for its “unofficial blockade” on Nepal that has created a widespread shortage of essentials in a country devastated by earthquakes six months ago.

In a meeting with a delegation of the Federation of Nepali Journalists at his office in Singha Durbar, PM Oli said the blockade, if not lifted immediately, could create a humanitarian crisis.

“Quake-hit people are taking shelter under tents and are unable to cook food,” said Oli, referring to the cooking gas shortage. “We are unable to transport materials to rebuild destroyed houses.”

Nepal, which imports all of its fuel and most other daily essentials from India, is exploring options such as getting imports from China as the border obstruction in the south has dragged on for over a month.

Defending the new constitution, Oli said the new charter does not discriminate against any caste and community. The reservation provisions for marginalised ethnicities and commissions formed to safeguard particular communities ensure people’s rights, he said.

He reiterated his commitment of addressing “genuine and logical” demands raised by the agitating Madhes-based parties and urged them to end the protests at the earliest.

Stating that the people in Tarai were affected the most under the obstruction, he urged journalists to stand against any move aimed at undermining national sovereignty, independence and integrity.