West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has assured that tourists from the state stranded in violence-hit Nepal will be safely brought back within the next couple of days. Her statement comes amid escalating unrest in Nepal, where a student-led uprising has triggered widespread violence, curfews, and the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Banerjee, speaking at an official programme in Jalpaiguri, said she had monitored the situation throughout the night and was in constant touch with officials to facilitate the safe return of affected citizens.
The unrest in Nepal, sparked by the Oli government’s controversial ban on 26 social media platforms, has led to deadly protests, with at least 19 people killed in police firing. Demonstrators have torched government buildings, stormed political offices, and disrupted public life across major cities including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, and Birgunj.
Bengal Government’s Response and Evacuation Plan
Mamata Banerjee emphasized that her administration is actively coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Embassy officials in Kathmandu to ensure the safe evacuation of stranded tourists. She urged citizens not to panic and assured that rescue operations would begin once the situation stabilizes.
| Action Taken by Bengal Govt | Description |
|---|---|
| Monitoring from Uttarkanya | CM Banerjee spent the night at the North Bengal secretariat tracking updates |
| Coordination with MEA | State officials liaising with central agencies for evacuation logistics |
| Public Assurance | CM’s appeal to tourists and families to remain calm |
| Border Advisory | Residents near Nepal border asked to maintain peace |
Banerjee also appealed to residents in border districts like Siliguri, Kalimpong, and Darjeeling to stay away from trouble and avoid crossing into Nepal until normalcy returns.
Nepal’s Political Crisis and Impact on Indian Tourists
The crisis in Nepal erupted on September 8, following the government’s decision to ban social media platforms citing cybersecurity and tax concerns. The move was met with fierce resistance from youth groups, who accused the government of suppressing free speech and shielding corruption.
| Date | Event Description |
|---|---|
| Sept 8 | Nepal bans 26 social media platforms |
| Sept 9 | Protests intensify; 19 killed in police firing |
| Sept 10 | PM KP Sharma Oli resigns; curfews imposed nationwide |
| Sept 11 | Indian tourists remain stranded; evacuation plans underway |
The Nepal Army has since imposed restrictive orders and curfews across the country, including Kathmandu, to prevent further violence. Flights from Tribhuvan International Airport have been suspended, leaving hundreds of Indian tourists stranded.
Voices from the Ground: Tourists Share Their Ordeal
Several Indian tourists, including groups from West Bengal, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, have described scenes of chaos and fear. Gauri K, a Chennai native, said she and her sister were among 150 Indians stuck at a Kathmandu hotel after flights were cancelled. “There was absolute anarchy everywhere. Smoke was billowing from buildings torched by mobs. Though a curfew was in place, youths were roaming freely, and we also heard gunshots intermittently,” she said.
| State | Estimated Tourists Stranded | Key Locations Affected |
|---|---|---|
| West Bengal | 80+ | Kathmandu, Pokhara |
| Karnataka | 40+ | Kathmandu, Birgunj |
| Maharashtra | 100+ | Thane, Pune, Latur, Kolhapur |
| Tamil Nadu | 30+ | Kathmandu |
Some groups have managed to exit Nepal via road through the India-Nepal border at Sonauli in Uttar Pradesh, while others remain in hotels awaiting evacuation.
Border Disruptions and Trade Impact
The unrest has spilled over to India’s borders, disrupting trade routes and causing long queues of stranded vehicles. The Kakarvitta-Panitanki crossing near Siliguri saw protesters torching tyres and blocking roads, while the Raxaul-Birgunj border in Bihar witnessed curfew-like conditions.
| Border Crossing | Disruption Type | Impact on Trade and Movement |
|---|---|---|
| Kakarvitta-Panitanki | Roadblocks, tyre burning | 200+ trucks stranded |
| Raxaul-Birgunj | Curfew, tourist cancellations | Reduced cross-border movement |
| Sonauli-Gorakhpur | Tourist influx from Nepal | Emergency shelter arrangements |
Security has been ramped up across seven border districts in Uttar Pradesh and in parts of Uttarakhand and Bihar. The SSB and local police are conducting round-the-clock patrols and entry-point checks.
Mamata Banerjee’s Broader Remarks
Apart from addressing the Nepal crisis, Mamata Banerjee used the occasion to criticize the Centre over issues related to citizenship, migrant safety, and exclusionary welfare policies. She condemned reported harassment of Bengali-speaking migrants in states like Assam, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, and urged people to speak Bengali without fear.
“We will speak in our mother tongue, but we will also learn other languages. There is no insult in speaking Bengali, Rajbangshi, Nepali, Gorkha or Hindi. But let me make it clear. Bengal will be run from Bengal, not from Delhi,” she said, drawing applause from the crowd.
Coordination Across States
Other state governments have also stepped in to assist their citizens stranded in Nepal. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed that Kannadigas in Nepal are safe and that his administration is working with the External Affairs Ministry to bring them back. Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar echoed similar sentiments, stating that the state was coordinating with the Indian Embassy to ensure safe return of tourists.
| State Government | Action Taken |
|---|---|
| West Bengal | Monitoring, coordination, public assurance |
| Karnataka | Contact with MEA, Resident Commissioner support |
| Maharashtra | Embassy coordination, family reassurance |
Conclusion
As Nepal grapples with one of its most volatile political crises in recent history, the safety and evacuation of Indian tourists—especially from Bengal—has become a top priority. Mamata Banerjee’s swift response and assurance have brought some relief to anxious families, while coordination between state and central agencies continues.
The next few days will be crucial as authorities assess the ground situation and initiate phased evacuations. For now, Bengal’s stranded tourists have been told to stay calm and wait for rescue operations to begin once conditions allow.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available news reports and official statements. All developments are subject to change based on evolving circumstances. Readers are advised to follow government advisories and verified sources for real-time updates.
