Indian filmmakers who are participating in the Film South Asia in Kathmandu have expressed their solidarity with the Nepalis who are reeling from a grave humanitarian crisis triggered by economic blockade at Indo-Nepal border.

The filmmakers stated that the blockade has entered its third month due to the ‘unconscionable support of the Indian government’.

“In Kathmandu we can see that endemic shortages have had a visible effect on the daily life of people. We are also aware that hospitals are running out of essential drugs and supplies, and more than a million and a half children are currently unable to attend school. The disruption to everyday life is huge,” reads the statement issued by the filmmakers on Saturday.

Underlining the situation in Nepal where people are recovering from the devastating earthquake in April, the statement said ‘cumulative loss from the blockade may significantly exceed the costs of the earlier earthquake’.

“Coming on the back of the devastating earthquake of six months ago, as well as the political unrest in the Tarai plains, the blockade has hit industries and small businesses, and hampered development activities including the rebuilding of vital infrastructure. It has also affected the tourism industry, a vital part of the local economy,” reads the statement.

The filmmakers, in their capacity as Indian citizens, called upon Indian government and international community to ‘take note of this crisis and take steps to bring it to an immediate end’.

Highlighting Nepal-India’s historical relation, the filmmakers expressed confidence that Nepal is capable of managing its internal affairs through political negotiation and democratic constitutional process, without any foreign involvement.

The statement further reads, “We demand the immediate lifting of the blockade against Nepal and the restoration of good neighbourly relations in place of what appears as near imperial meddling.”