Police on Thursday detained over 40 rights activists and lawyers for protesting against the Indian embargo in front of the Indian Embassy in Lainchaur.

More than three dozen activists, including rights activist Krishna Pahadi, were arrested during a protest

they had organised as part of their 10-day campaign to mark the 67th World Human

Rights Day. They were released shortly.

The rights activists had organised a demonstration carrying placards reading “blockage is a crime against humanity” and “blockage is betrayal of human rights” among others.

“The embargo imposed by India has created humanitarian crisis in Nepal,” said Pahadi.

Protests in the Tarai and an unofficial blockade imposed by India have created acute shortages of fuel, medicines and essentials.

At least 50 people have been killed in the protests since August in the southern plains of the country.

Earlier also several human rights activists, student leaders and others were briefly arrested while they were protesting against the Indian blockade.