Nepali leader says India 'breaking international law'

A senior Nepali lawmaker, tipped to be the next prime minister, today accused neighbouring giant India of breaking international law by deliberately halting cross-border trade, forcing the landlocked nation to ration fuel.
Since last Thursday, members of an ethnic minority living in Nepal's southern plains have blocked a critical trade route into the country from India in protest over the new constitution adopted on September 20.
Officials say cargo movement through other border checkpoints has also declined sharply since last week, sparking fears of a fuel shortage and long queues at petrol stations.
KP Oli, chief of the ruling UML party, said the Indian government, rather than demonstrators, was responsible for the border stoppage, in an unofficial protest over its dissatisfaction over the constitution.

His comments reflect mounting public anger in Nepal where many accuse India of being behind the blockade. New Delhi has denied the allegations and urged dialogue with the protesters to end the stand-off.
"India is saying those people (protesters) are in no man's land, they are blocking the roads so (Indian trucks) are not being able to supply, that's not true," he said.

"There is no gas, no vegetable supplies, no fuel for vehicles, no fuel for airlines, and life is about frozen," Oli told AFP in an interview.
"We don't want this type of friendship."
"India should not violate the treaties and agreements between our two countries, one. Second, India shouldn't undermine and violate the international norms and rights of the landlocked countries in general.