CPN-Maoist to only allow Indian vehicles carrying 'essential commodities' to operate on Nepal's roads

CPN-Maoist has said vehicles with Indian number plate used for the import and export of essential commodities of daily use would not be obstructed.

Issuing a joint press release on Saturday, ten different sister organizations affiliated to the Mohan Baidya led CPN-Maoist assured Indian vehicles ferrying essential goods of daily use including petrol, diesel and gas imported into the country from India would be allowed to operate without any kind of obstruction.

However, the Maoist affiliated sister organisations said their latest campaign at a time when the nation's "freedom and sovereignty is in peril" is not only "courageous but also correct and worth praising. Prime Minister Babuaram Bhattarai has already asked Home Minister Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar and security officials to strongly deal with those preventing vehicles with Indian number plates from plying on Nepal's roads.

CPN-Maoist had last week declared a ban on vehicles with Indian number plates and screening of "vulgar Indian movies" all over Nepal.

Issuing a press statement, party spokesperson Pampha Bhusal said the decision to ban the vehicles with Indian number plate, was taken with an aim "to promote economic development based on national independence, protection to local employment opportunities, utilisation of Nepali investment and in view of obstruction on the operation of Nepal's transportation means in India."

She further said the party has also decided to ban Indian films that "defame and disrespect Nepal and Nepalis, promote obscenity and spread cultural pollution". nepalnews.com