Modi speaks to Oli, expresses 'shock' over killing of Indian

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed "shock" over the unfortunate killing of a youngster from Bihar due to police firing in Nepal and requested for details from his Nepalese counterpart K P Oli during a telephonic conversation.

"The Prime Minister has expressed shock and condemned the unfortunate killing of a youngster from Bihar due to police firing in Nepal," the Prime Minister's Office said here.

During the conversation, Modi expressed concern about the incident and requested for details, the PMO said.

19-year-old Ashish Ram of Raxaul in Bihar was killed after he received a bullet shot in his head when police opened fire on protesters at Shankaracharya Gate near Birgunj Customs, Nepal Home Ministry sources said in Kathmandu.

However, Modi assured the Nepalese leader that there was no obstacle from the Indian side on supply of fuel and other essentials. "At the same time, the Prime Minister urged Nepalese leaders to work towards ensuring an early and effective solution to the crisis," the PMO added.

Since the promulgation of the Constitution in Nepal in September, the Indian-origin Madhesi population has been agitating as they believe the country's new Constitution discriminates against them, denying them equal standing with other Nepalis.

The agitation obstructed supply of essential commodities including petrol thereby creating a crisis in Nepal, which accused India of imposing a "economic blockade", a charge denied by India.

India maintained that the supply was obstructed due to protests on the Nepalese side and asked the Nepal government to have political resolution of issues facing that country which should have broad-based ownership and acceptance of the Constitution by all section of the society including those disaffected agitating forces.