KATHMANDU (TIP): The Indian government may have agreed to ease the transit of some trucks into Nepal but the annual Dasain (Dussehra) festival this year will be a subdued affair in the Himalayan country. Food and fuel are still premium items, while the K P Oli government is being asked to push through amendments to a constitution that would accommodate the aspirations of the Madhesis.

Nepal, which attracted praise from global activists for being sensitive to LGBT persons in the constitution, is now getting flak from human rights organizations for the indiscriminate killings in the Terai throughout August and September.In a new report, Human Rights Watch has said Nepali authorities “should immediately investigate and bring to justice those responsible for killings and other violations during ongoing protests over the constitutional debate”.

“While the drafting of a rights-respecting constitution is an emotional issue in Nepal, disagreements cannot be resolved by committing serious human rights abuses,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. The government sees some ray of hope after talks between the Indian leadership and foreign minister Kamal Thapa, who said, “Indian leaders have assured me that there will be no obstructions in the flow of trucks to Nepal from the points that are not blocked.” (Source TNN)