Nepal government deplores anti-India move of Maoist party

KATHMANDU: Ruling United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) has deplored the move of CPN-Maoist to prevent vehicles with Indian number plates from entering Nepal, screening of Indian movies, and targeting businesses and academic institutions run with Indian investments terming it as a ploy to foment "communal riots".

A meeting of the constituent parties of the UDMF that includes Madhesi People's Rights Forum (Democratic), Terai Madhes Democratic Party, Terai Madhes Party-Nepal and Sadbhawana Party, held in Kathmandu yesterday urged the CPN-Maoist to immediately withdraw all activities directed against India.

"It is both objectionable and regrettable to engage in political activities based on communal agenda," the UDMF said in a statement.

However, other opposition parties Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have distanced themselves from the move of banning Hindi films and Indian vehicles.

CPN-Maoist, the breakaway faction of Nepal's ruling Maoists, had on Wednesday issued a warning against screening of Hindi films and operation of vehicles bearing Indian number plates in 10 districts, saying that anybody defying its ban would face consequences.

The party imposed the ban in the districts under the Tamsaling Ethnic State Committee, including Chitwan, Makwanpur, Dhading and Kavre, claiming that the move was aimed at protecting national sovereignty.