India expresses apprehension over loss of lives in Nepal

New Delhi: India on Sunday expressed distress at the loss of lives in police firing in Nepal's Terai region.

Though there was no statement issued by India, but official spokesperson in the External Affairs ministry posted a brief tweet, "Upheavals, distressed at loss of lives in police firing in Saptari in Nepalese Terai last night. Political solution required."

India has been persistently asking Nepal government to resolve the crisis arising after the promulgation of the Constitution there, over which some sections of Nepalese population have expressed dissatisfaction.

Nepal police shot dead four Indian-origin Madhesis blockading a key highway in Terai over the new Constitution last night as violence returned to the country already reeling under acute shortage of essential goods, prompting India to express "distress" at the loss of lives.

The agitating Joint Democratic Madhesi Front today claimed that four of its cadres were killed and dozens of protesters injured in the police firing in Saptari late last night.

An indefinite curfew was today clamped in Saptari district, some 280 kilometres southeast of the capital, after the clashes.

The fresh clashes injured as many as 17 protesters and 25 police personnel, of whom five protesters and two policemen are said to be in serious condition.

The violence comes as the Himalayan nation, which is heavily dependent on India for supplies of essential goods, continues to reel under acute shortage of fuels, medicines and other items for over two months now.