Probe, punishment to those guilty of killing Indian national in Nepal sought: Govt

NEW DELHI: India has asked Nepal to initiate an investigation and punish those responsible for the killing of an Indian national in firing by security forces of that country on November 2.

"Our Consulate at Birgunj has requested Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Nepal on November 2, 2015 to initiate investigation and punish the guilty at the earliest," Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

He said the Nepal government's response is awaited.

The minister said Asish Ram alias Sonu Ram, son of Ashok Ram, a resident of Raxaul in East Champaran of Bihar was killed in firing by Nepalese security forces at Shankaracharya gate near Birgunj Bhansar (Nepal) on November 2 when he was returning from Birgunj after meetings friends and relatives.

In reply to another question on membership in Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Singh said India has expressed its interest and has formally applied for membership of MTCR in June.

"Its application has been received well. Chairman of the NSG was in New Delhi in October 2015 for discussions on NSG and nuclear commerce. India continues to be in touch with NSG Chairman and individual members of the NSG in this regard," he said.

Singh added that a number of NSG member countries like US, Russia, France, Japan, Australia, Germany, Republic of Korea and Spain have expressed their supprt for India's membership in recognition of India's record on non-prolification and the robustness of its export controls.

"India will apply for membership of NSG when the ground is adequately prepared for our membership," he said.