43 Gujaratis return safely from Nepal amid protests, 18 still stranded in Kathmandu

As many as 43 Gujaratis have reached the Indo-Nepal border safely, away from the nationwide protests in Nepal by Gen-Z students, activists against corruption and social media ban. With the situation turning increasingly violent, several Gujarati tourists and students were stranded.

According to officials, a group of 18 Gujaratis is still stranded in Kathmandu.

The 43 people from Bhavnagar had gone on a pilgrimage to Pashupatinath and other religious sites, and were stuck in Pokhara. They had been staying in a hotel, and due to mobile network disruptions, their families were unable to contact them. Eventually, with police and army providing security escort, they all reached the Indian border safely. At one point, protesters blocked the luxury bus carrying the Gujarati pilgrims, but no harm was done.

Rajya Sabha member Shaktisinh Gohil, while sharing the list of stranded Gujaratis, wrote on X, “Flights are grounded at Kathmandu Airport in Nepal, and many of our Indian citizens are stuck there. Shri Kenan Patel from Gujarat informed over the phone that a group of 18 Gujaratis is also stuck with him. Requesting @PMOIndia and @DrSJaishankar to immediately arrange for our citizens to return to India.”

Meanwhile, the Ahmedabad Collector has issued helpline numbers. Gujarati citizens have been advised to contact the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu for assistance.

Helpline numbers:

District Disaster Management Center – Ahmedabad: 079-27560511

State Disaster Management Center – Gandhinagar: 079-23251900 / 902 / 914

Indian Embassy, Kathmandu (Nepal): +977-980 860 2881, +977-981 032 6134