Trucks carrying medicines that were rerouted from Birgunj-Raxaul border point have been stuck at Nepalgunj-Rupaidiha border for the past one and a half weeks.

At least five cargo trucks laden with medicines have been stranded on the Indian side of the border due to obstructions at the border point. In addition, 150 cargo trucks and fuel tankers are also awaiting customs clearance in Rupaidiha.

Though the authorities tried to reroute the cargo trucks from the obstructed border areas, they have not been able to enter the Nepali territory due to the demonstrations in Nepalgunj for the past few days. The trucks are carrying medicines and surgical equipment.

Pharmaceutical entrepreneurs have been requesting the government to bring the medicines from the relaxed border points.

Gopi Barnawal, a drugs entrepreneur, said they are requesting the leaders of Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha to let the cargo trucks pass through the border. The Morcha leaders and activists, who are protesting on no-man’s-land, have refused to oblige, he said.

Nepali security officials are also coordinating with the Indian authorities to bring the cargo trucks. Area Police Office in Jamunaha informed that the Indian authorities have stopped the cargo trucks in Rupaidiha citing security situation.

Various districts across the country are reeling under an acute shortage of medicines, including life saving drugs, due to an Indian blockade and protests by Madhes-based parties in Tarai districts.

Indian PM urged to lift embargo

KATHMANDU: The Human Rights and Peace Society Nepal on Monday sent a memorandum to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling for a swift end to the unofficial blockade on essential supplies.

Coinciding with the World Human Rights Day, which falls on December 10, the society submitted the letter with signatures of thousands of Nepalis to the Indian Embassy on Monday. Beginning on Saturday, the society had collected the signatures at New Road, Ratna Park, Basantapur, Chabahil, among other thoroughfares in the Capital.

“On the occasion of the 67th World Human Rights Day, we would like to remind His Excellency of the fact that blockade is an act of betrayal against the spirit of human rights and appeal for an immediate end to the Indian blockade on Nepal,” said society’s President Gangadhar Adhikari.