1st LD Writethru: UN chief voices concerns over blocking of supplies on Nepal-India border

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday underlined his growing concern over the blocking of essential supplies on the Nepal-India border and the adverse impact on the humanitarian operations, said a statement of Ban's spokesman.

"He is alarmed by reports of the obstruction, and destruction, of life-saving medical supplies and the continued impact on humanitarian operations," it said.

He called on all sides to lift these restrictions without further delay and underlines Nepal's right of free transit, it said.

Stressing "the importance of dialogue and non-violence, as well as respect for peaceful protest and the freedom of assembly," Ban urged all sides to resolve their differences in a peaceful and flexible manner and reiterated the support of the United Nations to Nepal's efforts to build a democratic, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous future, it said.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has also cautioned that the blockade of Nepal's border posts with India "threatens the future of the country itself".

The crisis in Nepal centers on opposition to Nepal's new constitution, signed on Sept. 20. Members of the ethnic Madhesi political parties claimed that the constitution failed to guarantee them fair representation in parliament and public office. Since September, the protesters blocked border posts with India, leading to acute shortages of petrol, cooking gas and other essential supplies. Enditem