Nepal strike hits petrol supplies

Tensions are rising over the shortage of fuel

Nepalese petrol stations have been hit by severe fuel shortages, largely triggered by protesters blockading key roads in the south of the country.

Most petrol stations have shut down and those still serving fuel have attracted queues of thousands of motorists.

Nepalese activists representing the ethnic Madheshis of the southern plains have been protesting since Wednesday for more rights and representation.

Roughly 90% of Nepal's imports travel from India via the southern roads.

"We have not been able to bring any supply in the past two days and our stock has already exhausted," an official from Nepal's state-run oil company told the Reuters news agency.

"Activists have destroyed several tankers carrying oil and carriers have refused to run fearing attacks," the official said.

However, BBC correspondents say the shortage has also been caused in part by Nepal's failure to pay its sole oil exporter, India, for outstanding fuel bills.

Almost half of Nepal's population lives in the impoverished, largely agricultural Madesh region.

The Madheshis have been agitating for more autonomy and greater representation in the government and security forces.

Dozens of people died when Madheshi protests turned violent last year, casting a pall over a fledgling peace process between the government and Maoist rebels.