Bhubaneswar: Three persons from Odisha are stranded in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, amid violent protests and widespread unrest.
The trio, Rashmiranjan Parida, Debraj Mohanty, and Soumyaranjan Sahu, from Bhubaneswar, had arrived in Kathmandu to organise the 4th Kalinga Literary Festival, scheduled for September 13-14. However, due to the adverse conditions, the festival has been cancelled and rescheduled for February 14-15 next year.
The protests in Kathmandu, which began after the Nepalese government blocked 26 social media platforms, citing security concerns, have escalated into violent clashes between protesters and security forces, resulting in at least 19 deaths and over 100 injuries. The demonstrations reflect growing frustration over corruption, restricted free speech, and inequality in Nepal.
The Indian Embassy is in regular contact with the stranded individuals and is coordinating their evacuation as soon as airport operations resume and airspace is cleared. Currently, the trio is safe in their hotel, located in the Lalitpur area, which is largely residential and free from violence.
