‘Saw buildings being burnt’: 82-year-old man visiting daughter in Nepal gets stuck, unsure return to Kolkata

The unrest in Nepal, sparked by youth protests against alleged corruption and a social media ban, has led to widespread violence and a halt in daily life. Tribhuvan International Airport has suspended flights, and the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has advised citizens to defer travel.

Bothra, associated with Kashi Vishwanath Seva Samiti, had planned a journey involving a short flight from Kathmandu, a road trip to Siliguri, and then a connecting flight from Bagdogra to Dumdum. “We have been without electricity since the previous night and are keeping ourselves indoors. Our lives are at a standstill as we wait for normalcy to return,” he said.

The fear is shared by others in West Bengal who have families in Nepal. Chandra Bhahadur Syangdah, a resident of Maheshtala, said, “Dussehra is a big festival, and there is Bhai Tika in our culture. We spend these months in Nepal. We are distressed and worried how to go there and how to ensure the safety of our family.”

While condemning the violence and murders, he said, “The government had to go. These leaders have totally finished Nepal. Corruption has killed the country, naturally there would be an outburst,” but added that he is critical of the “high death toll and hooliganism”.

A resident of Kolkata’s Minto Park, Gunja Shrestha said, “The protest was going on for a while and the youth had everyone’s support but after this government banned social media, the Gen Zs took things into their hands. What happened after that is definitely condemnable. We are constantly in touch on phone with our relatives there but what we have understood is that common people are staying indoors and are not being targeted.”

As reports of deaths mount and the resignation of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli comes through, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has issued emergency helpline numbers. India has also tightened security along the border with West Bengal as concerns for the safety of its nationals grow.