New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) Nepali students in India say they have put their plans to travel home on hold and call up their families repeatedly, fearful of their safety amid the violent protests rattling the Himalayan nation.

The student-led “Gen Z” protests in Nepal that began against a government ban on social media expanded into a larger campaign reflecting growing public criticism of the KP Sharma Oli dispensation and the country’s political elite over alleged corruption and apathy towards the common people.

Prime Minister Oli resigned in the face of massive protests for a second day, even as the ban on social media was lifted late on Monday night. The demonstrators stormed many government buildings and set the parliament as well as homes of several high-profile leaders ablaze, a day after 19 people died in violence.

Against this backdrop, Nepali students in India are living in anxiety.

A master’s student at Delhi University’s Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) said he had cancelled his plans to travel home, which is near Kathmandu, for the Dussehra festival.

“I was looking forward to being with my family, but they have advised me to stay back in Delhi until the situation there stabilises,” he said.

Manoj Chaudhary from Nepal’s Birgunj, pursuing MBA at IIT-Dhanbad, said the situation in his hometown was calmer compared to the capital. Still, he has suspended his plans to visit home.

“I was planning to visit Nepal soon, but now all my plans are on hold. My family is safe, but I am worried about Kathmandu, where buildings have been set on fire and students have lost their lives. That should never have happened. I only hope peace returns quickly,” he said.

Another Delhi University student said her immediate parents and siblings live with her in Delhi, but her grandparents and extended relatives are in Nepal.

“I am deeply worried about them. Every day we hear news of protests turning violent, and it is painful not knowing how safe they are,” she said.

A first-year DU student said the reports of deaths and destruction had shaken him. “I never thought students would be killed for raising their voice. It feels like the country is being torn apart.” “I used to ask friends here to visit Nepal for its beauty, but now I feel sad about what is happening,” he said, adding that he calls his family every few hours to check on their safety.

A PhD scholar at the South Asian University, who earlier studied at Jawaharlal Nehru University, said the unrest had left her disturbed even though her family lives in a rural area, which is relatively safe.

“When your country suffers, you feel helpless sitting far away. The violence was tragic, but I hope the protests open the way for something positive,” she said.

Another DU student said he had deferred his trip home indefinitely.

“I was supposed to see my parents later this month, but I can’t take that risk now. All I do is wait for messages from family and friends, hoping they are safe,” he said.

India advised its citizens to defer travelling to Nepal until the condition stabilises. 

(Disclaimer: This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday after 19 protestors were killed during clashes with security forces on Monday.

Synopsis: The Ministry of External Affairs has advised Indian citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Nepal and issued emergency helplines amid violent student-led protests. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu urged citizens to exercise caution, avoid gatherings and stay indoors, as widespread demonstrations targeted political leaders’ homes and public buildings.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has advised Indian citizens against all non-essential travel to Nepal, following widespread protests and violence in the neighbouring country and the collapse of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s government.

The ministry has also issued emergency contact numbers for Indian citizens in Nepal. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu urged citizens to remain cautious.

“Please call +977 980 860 2881 or +977 981 032 6134 for help. Avoid gatherings and stay indoors,” it said in a statement.

Violent demonstrations targeting the homes of political leaders and the parliament have been reported from several parts of Nepal.

Commercial flights between Delhi and Kathmandu were widely cancelled after Tribhuvan International Airport was temporarily closed.

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States step in to help stranded citizens

The Karnataka Chief Minister’s Office said efforts are underway to safely return 39 citizens from the state who are stranded in Nepal.

“Due to nationwide large-scale and sudden protests by students and youth in Nepal, a tense situation has arisen across the country. As a result, 39 Kannadigas stranded at Kathmandu airport are to be safely brought back to the state,” the statement said.

“Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed the state’s Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to take necessary steps in this regard. The Chief Secretary has already held discussions with the concerned authorities and initiated appropriate action,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has assured Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurien that urgent steps will be taken to ensure the safe repatriation of over 3,000 Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims, including several from Kerala, who are stranded in Darchen, Tibet, following the closure of the Nepal border.

The pilgrims, caught in the unexpected border shutdown, had informed Kurien of their plight. Responding to their concerns, the minister reached out to the MEA, urging immediate intervention. The ministry has conveyed that necessary arrangements will be made to bring the pilgrims back at the earliest.

Sources at the AP Bhavan in Delhi told South First that they have received reports of at least 41 residents from Andhra Pradesh stranded in Nepal. Authorities are coordinating with the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Nepal Embassy.

Residents of the state stranded in Nepal can contact:

• AP Bhavan Control Room (24×7): 011-23387089
• Mobile: 9871999430, 9871999053

For additional assistance:

• Deputy Commissioner MVS Rama Rao: 9871990081
• Liaison Officer V Suresh Babu: 9818395787

Kerala has set up a dedicated NORKA Help Desk to assist Malayalis stranded in Nepal.

The desk will operate through the NORKA Global Contact Centre, which can be reached on the toll-free number 1800 425 3939 or by giving a missed call to +91 8802012345.

For emergencies, the Embassy has provided dedicated lines on +977 9808602881 and +977 9810326134 (WhatsApp call).

NORKA officials said the help desk will serve as a nodal point to coordinate information and provide support to affected Keralites.

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Protests against corruption escalate

Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday after 19 protestors were killed during clashes with security forces on Monday.

The initial spark for the protests was a government order banning 26 social media sites and apps, but it quickly escalated into a larger mass movement against corruption.

Despite curfews, protestors, largely students, continued to turn out across the country on Tuesday, targeting political elites, storming public offices and residences including the federal parliament building in Kathmandu, often setting them on fire.

(Edited by Dese Gowda)

NEW DELHI: India has advised its citizens to “defer travel (to Nepal) until the situation has stabilised. Airlines including Indian carriers, have suspended flights as Kathmandu Airport (KTM) was closed on Tuesday afternoon when Gen Z protestors set fire nearby. A few flights between Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru were able to operate Tuesday morning. But as the day progressed and the situation worsened, multiple Kathmandu-bound flights hovered near the city before diverting or returning to India. Subsequently airlines suspended flights.In its advisory, the Indian foreign ministry said: “In view of the developing situation in Nepal, Indian citizens are advised to defer travel there until the situation has stabilised. Indian citizens presently in Nepal are advised to shelter in their current places of residence, avoid going out onto the streets and exercise all due caution. They are also advised to follow local safety advisories from Nepal authorities as well as the embassy of India in Kathmandu…”IndiGo said on X Tuesday afternoon: “In view of the prevailing situation in Kathmandu, the airport has been closed for operations. Consequently, all flights to and from Kathmandu stand suspended as of now. If your travel is impacted, you may conveniently opt for an alternate flight or claim a refund by visiting our website. We are closely monitoring the developments and coordinating with local authorities to resume operations at the earliest.” Customers have been advised “to keep checking official channels for the latest advisories and updates.”Air India said on X Tuesday evening: “…Air India is offering passengers with confirmed bookings for travel to and from Kathmandu until Sept 11, on tickets issued up to Sept 9, a one-time waiver on rescheduling charges. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority.” SpiceJet cancelled Tuesday flights. AI Express has suspended Wednesday’s Bengaluru-KTM. By Tuesday afternoon Nepal aviation authorities issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) about Kathmandu airport being closed. Now flights can resume only after this NOTAM is lifted.Air India has six flights to and from KTM, mostly from Delhi. On Tuesday two early morning flights managed to operate between Delhi & KTM. The third, AI 217, took off from IGI Airport 11.38 am on Tuesday. It hovered near KTM for a while before the pilots decided to return to Delhi due to “smoke at final approach of KTM” and landed at IGIA at 3.10 pm. The other three flights were cancelled.An AI spokesperson said: “In view of the current situation prevailing in Kathmandu, (four) flights AI2231/2232, AI2219/2220, AI217/218 and AI211/212 operating on the Delhi-Kathmandu-Delhi route have been cancelled Tuesday. We are closely monitoring the situation and will share further updates. At Air India, the safety of our passengers and crew remain top priority.”At least two IndiGo flights — 6E1153 (Delhi to Kathmandu) and 6E1157 (Mumbai-Kathmandu) hovered near KTM for a while on Tuesday before diverting to Lucknow. Air India Express has a daily between Bengaluru and KTM, which operated on Tuesday morning. Five Delhi-KTM flights on which 801 passengers were booked to travel were cancelled Tuesday, including three of Air India and one each of IndiGo and Nepal Airlines.