Stranded Thane Tourists in Nepal Plead for Urgent Evacuation Amid Violent Protests

Kathmandu : A group of 112 tourists from Murbad taluka in Thane district, Maharashtra, finds itself stranded in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, and the city of Pokhara, as anti-government protests escalate into violence. The tourists, caught in the chaos of widespread unrest, have urgently appealed to the Maharashtra government for assistance in securing their safe return home, according to Murbad MLA Kisan Kathore.

Of the group, 47 individuals are currently taking shelter in a Kathmandu hotel, where the protests have been most intense, with reports of riots gripping the city. The remaining 65 tourists are holed up in a hotel in Pokhara, a comparatively calmer area but still affected by the ongoing turmoil. Kathore, in a statement released on Wednesday, confirmed that he has reached out to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Thane district collector to coordinate efforts for the group’s safe evacuation.

In a video call with Kathore, the stranded tourists shared harrowing accounts of the volatile situation on the ground. They described scenes of escalating violence, including arson and vandalism, which have left them feeling vulnerable and anxious. The protests, led by Nepal’s Gen Z population, initially erupted over a controversial social media ban and allegations of government corruption. The unrest has since spiraled, leading to significant destruction, including attacks on government buildings and the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

The tourists’ plea for swift evacuation comes as Nepal grapples with a deepening political crisis. The Nepal Army has assumed control of security operations, imposing a nationwide curfew to restore order. Meanwhile, Indian airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, are set to operate additional flights to Kathmandu to evacuate stranded Indian nationals, as announced by Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu. The Indian Embassy in Nepal has also issued helpline numbers to assist citizens caught in the unrest, urging them to exercise caution until the situation stabilizes.