After months of 5 protests, Nepal lifts fuel restrictions

Local residents of Nepal and India living near the border cross a bridge at Birgunj, Nepal, Friday, Feb. 5, 2016. Vehicles have passed through the main border point between the two nations after local residents forcibly removed barriers set up by ethnic protesters who for months have been demanding changes in the new constitution. AP FILE PHOTO

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Rationing and sales restrictions on fuel have been lifted in Nepal for the first time in five months after ethnic protests and border blockades cut oil supplies into the Himalayan nation.

Deepak Baral of the state-owned Nepal Oil Corp, which has the monopoly to import and supply of oil in Nepal, said drivers will be able to buy as much fuel as they want from Tuesday.

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Baral said the lifting of restrictions should end the long lines at the service stations.

Fuel supply has been restricted from India since ethnic Madhesis protesting against a new constitution had been blocking major border points.

The blockade ended earlier this month and fuel trucks have been able to enter Nepal without any problems.

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