Government not intimidated: Rawal

Pokhara, February 28

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Bhim Rawal today said Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s India visit was a milestone in strengthening bilateral relations and fostering trade and transit facilities.

Speaking at a press meet organised by Press Chautari Kaski in Pokhara on today, DPM Rawal said Nepal would look for trade and transit

facility with China as China has access to sea and ocean. “Border points at Mustang’s Koirala, Tatopani, Rasuwagadhi, Kimangthang and in

the far-western region will open to ease the border

entry points between the two countries. Nepal wishes to establish similar relationship with both India and China,” he said.

Claiming that PM Oli’s recent India visit was fruitful to maintain the cordial relations, minister Rawal said petroleum products and cooking gas would be easily available in the market within a few days.

He, however, dismissed the rumour that the country was going to witness another blockade.

“If the Madhesi forces come up with border blockade disrupting the import of daily essentials like before, the government will strongly defy the blockade.

They had all kinds of freedom so far, but now onward, time has changed. Even the general public will come to protest their agitation,” warned DPM Rawal.

The constitution which has been endorsed by more than two-third majority, must be acceptable to all.

He said that the government was preparing to address the concerns of some of the demands put forth by the Madhesi forces through statute amendment.