Protests in Nepal have left at least nine pilgrims from Ayodhya stranded. They were on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Ayodhya District Magistrate Nikhil Tikaram Funde confirmed the pilgrims are safe. He has asked the Indian government to arrange their return flights because their location is far from the border and road travel is tough due to the unrest.
“Some merchants came to meet me today,” Funde said at a press conference. “They reported that some pilgrims had gone to China for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and their return had to be through Nepal.” He stressed that the only way for their return is by flight. He plans to request that the government make arrangements.
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Beijing issued a warning for Indian citizens stranded in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The warning noted that the unrest in Nepal has affected the travel plans of those on the yatra through private tour operators. The embassy urged citizens to “exercise due caution” due to high altitude and difficult terrain. It also advised them to follow guidance from local authorities and the Indian embassies in Beijing and Kathmandu.
The ongoing unrest began on September 8 with violent protests. A youth group called Gen-Z is leading the demonstrations, demanding transparency and the lifting of a social media ban. The protests escalated when demonstrators tried to storm parliament, prompting security forces to fire live rounds and use tear gas.
The protests have caused many casualties. According to Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population, the death toll has reached 30, and there have been 1,033 injuries. While 713 people have left hospitals, 55 were moved to different facilities, and 253 remain hospitalized.
The government led by KP Sharma Oli had previously defended the social media ban as a way to fight fake news. However, rights groups condemned it as censorship. The current situation shows the challenges of political instability and its effects on the safety of international travelers.
