India has meted out punishment to Nepal and Nepali people in the form of blockade/embargo (tagged “unofficial”) on the eve of series of important festivals of Dashain, Tihar and Chhath in support of Madhesi parties’ demand: electoral constituency based on population without regard to geography, absolute proportional representation, no restriction on naturalized citizens ascending to high posts, demarcation of boundaries as they wished, 10 yearly delineation of electoral constituency (instead of 20 years), etc. The blockade has resulted in overwhelming adverse impact on the economy that was tottering in the wake of devastation caused by the great earthquake of 25 April and number of aftershocks. Life of common people became paralyzed and put out of gear; more so in Tarai than in hills. Industrial production has come to a grinding halt for lack of fuel and raw materials; subsistence level factory workers suffering the most. The impact was like a double-edged sword, not sparing Indian business community dependent on business with Nepal.
