Strike sparks fuel shortage

Thousands of cars and motorcycles queued up at the few petrol stations open in Nepal on Friday as a strike by an ethnic group demanding more autonomy in the southern plains disrupted supplies. Most petrol stations displayed “no petrol” signs or locked up their gates while some that were open had long lines of vehicles waiting for several hours.The indefinite strike which began on Wednesday has been called by three Madheshi organisations, saying they represent the dominant ethnic community living in the southern plains, to press for regional autonomy. At least 45 people were killed last year in violent protests organised by a Madheshi group.