220 Tamil Nadu pilgrims safe in Nepal, 84 untraceable: State Minister
Chennai, March 4: Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Aadhav Arjuna informed the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday that 220 pilgrims from the state who had travelled to Nepal are safe, while the whereabouts of 84 others remain unknown.
The Minister said the state government is in touch with the families of those who have not been traced, and has sought assistance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to locate them. He stated that the government has requested the MEA to contact authorities in Tibet and China, as the missing pilgrims may have crossed into those regions.
“We collected details from the commanding system of the External Affairs Ministry. We requested the Ministry to establish contact with the governments in Tibet and China, as they could have gone there,” Mr. Arjuna said during the Question Hour.
According to the Minister, 21 pilgrims have already returned to Tamil Nadu. The state government has arranged travel assistance for family members who wish to go to Nepal to be with their relatives. He assured the House that the government is working closely with the Union government and the Nepal government to ensure the safe return of all pilgrims.
“The government is working closely with the Union government and Nepal government making all efforts to rescue the Tamils and help centres are functioning 24x7,” he added.
The development comes amid reports of heavy snowfall and difficult terrain in parts of Nepal, which has affected the movement of pilgrims in the Himalayan region. The state government has set up round-the-clock help desks to assist families seeking information about their loved ones.
Officials in the Tamil Nadu government said they are monitoring the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available. The MEA has also been coordinating with Indian missions in Nepal to extend all possible help to the stranded pilgrims.
The state government has urged the public to remain calm and rely on official channels for information. It has also appealed to media organisations to avoid spreading unverified reports about the condition of the pilgrims.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by Indian pilgrims travelling to remote religious sites in Nepal, particularly during the winter season. Authorities have advised travellers to follow safety guidelines and register with the Indian Embassy before undertaking such journeys.
