Nepal considers fuel rationing as protesters block trucks

Nepal is considering rationing oil and fuel, a Nepal Oil Corp spokesman said on Saturday, after hundreds of trucks were held up this week at the India border when protesters against a new constitution gathered to block the road.

Nepal adopted the charter last Sunday to promote unity and stability after years of civil war, but its demarcation of provinces has upset people in Nepal's south who fear the new federal structure will marginalise them. At least 40 people, mostly protestors, have been killed in violent clashes since August.

About 900 trucks carrying food, fuel and other items were lined up on the Indian side of the Raxaul-Birgunj border on Saturday, said Kamlesh Kumar, assistant commissioner of customs at the border point, as protestors from the Madhesi Morcha party blocked the road in Nepal for a third day.

"If we do ration petrol and oil, we can manage for a couple of weeks," said Deepak Baral, a Nepal Oil Corp spokesman.

Nepalese officials, however, pinned blame for the logjam on India, Nepal's southern neighbour and biggest trading partner, which has been drawn into the political crisis after criticising Nepal's political leadership for rushing through the constitution despite the dissent.