BHAKTAPUR: CPN-UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal has said anyone not cooperating with the government on importing essentials including fuel from China at such difficult time should be punished.

At a Deusi Bhailo programme organised by the Rautahat-Kathmandu Liaison Forum of the party here on Wednesday, former Prime Minister Nepal reiterated that the government must be bold to punish - even sack - the employees if they were found obstructing the imports of fuel from China while the entire country was facing hard times with the blockade imposed by India on Nepal.

According to him, China's support at such difficult moment was really appreciative.

Nepalis should not cower before any power, regarding Nepal's independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty, he stressed.

On the occasion, UML leader Mahesh Basnet also suggested the government not to yield before the Indian government.