Bhubaneswar: Violent protests in Nepal have deeply shaken several people in Odisha as their family members have been staying in the Himalayan country to eke out a living.
A report from Kendrapada said that more than 100 people from Pattamundai area of the district who have been staying in Nepal to earn a livelihood are left stuck because of the unrest. Their family members back in Odisha are in a state of fear because of the dangerous situation in Nepal.
Praying for the safety of her family members, an elderly woman of Pattamundai area said her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren live in Nepal. “I am very much worried about their safety. They are unable to move out of their house due to largescale violence. I pray that they remain safe and secure,” she said.
Stating that she spoke to her son over the phone, the woman said the Union government should take immediate steps to ensure safe return of people from Odisha and other states of the country.
Expressing similar concerns, another woman from the coastal district said her husband is in Nepal where the situation is highly fluid. Her husband is unable to go out of house due to widespread violence and incidents of firing.
“I urge the Union government to take quick steps to bring back all Indians stuck in Nepal and ensure their safety and security,” she said, adding that she spoke to her husband on Wednesday morning.
Several others whose family members are in Nepal also expressed similar views and said they are worried over reports that the streets of Kathmandu are chaotic, with mobs attacking the residences of politicians and industrialists. The family members have been closely following the developments in Nepal by monitoring news on television and other media channels.
The protests, primarily led by youth in their teens and twenties, escalated after the Nepalese government blocked 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram.
Other age groups have also joined the demonstrations following the reported deaths of several students in retaliatory police fire. The anger has been directed against political dynasties accused of corruption and lavish spending, including business deals and hotel ventures, at the expense of the common public.
The unrest has triggered nationwide curfews, roadblocks, and strikes across Nepal. Authorities have warned citizens to avoid large gatherings and exercise caution.
While the situation remains volatile in Nepal, the stranded people from Odisha report that common citizens and tourists are largely unaffected.
