West Bengal CM seeks MEA nod to send state team to Nepal for rescue ops
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced late Friday night (August 28, 2026) that the state government would send a team to Nepal to assist in rescue and relief operations, provided the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) grants permission.
Addressing media at Bhawani Bhawan, the state police headquarters, Mr. Adhikari said he had instructed the Chief Secretary to formally seek MEA approval for the delegation. The proposed team would comprise one minister, one MLA, an Inspector-General-rank police officer, and a senior IAS officer at the secretary or joint secretary level. “Once we get permission, we will move them to Kathmandu,” he stated.
The announcement comes amid growing concern over 39 people from West Bengal reported missing in Nepal. According to official records cited by the Chief Minister, the state government has managed to contact two of them — Anukul Poddar and his wife, both aged above 60 and residents of Basirhat. Arrangements are being made for their early return. The remaining 37 individuals remain untraced.
Mr. Adhikari acknowledged that several families had heard reports of some people being rescued on the Tibet side. “We have assured the families that we are trying to gather a list of those names,” he said.
On Friday night, the Chief Minister also spoke with the families of the missing persons via video call, assuring them of all possible help in rescuing their loved ones. The call, held from Bhawani Bhawan, was attended by senior police officials. Families raised concerns about the ongoing rescue and relief operations and sought information on how to track updates about their relatives.
Among the 37 still missing, 32 had embarked on the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra with Kolkata-based travel agency “Cholo Jai”. Of these, 30 were tourists — at least 21 of them senior citizens — and two were tour operators.
One of the missing is Sharmistha Bhowmik Roy, daughter-in-law of late former Union Minister Mukul Roy. Her husband, Subhrangshu Roy, a former MLA, told media that the families of the missing have become like one family as they wait for their loved ones to return. A delegation of senior Trinamool Congress leaders met Mr. Roy on Saturday (August 29, 2026). Mukul Roy, one of the founding members of the party, passed away a few months ago.
The state government has not yet specified the nature of the incident that led to the disappearances, but the focus remains on ensuring the safe return of all residents and coordinating with central authorities and Nepal's administration.
