TV
Three Odias, Rashmi Ranjan Parida from Bhubaneswar, Debraj Mohanty, and Soumya Ranjan Sahoo, are stranded in Nepal’s capital of Kathmandu as widespread Gen Z-led protests have disrupted normal life. The trio had arrived to attend a literary festival scheduled for September 13 and 14, but escalating unrest and the closure of Tribhuvan International Airport have left them confined to their hotel.
In an exclusive interview with OTV, Parida termed the streets of Kathmandu as chaotic, with mobs attacking the residences of politicians and industrialists. He narrated that several homes were torched and hurled with stones on Tuesday, with a building near their hotel on fire, which allegedly belonged to a politician.
Ground Reality in Kathmandu
Despite the unrest, Parida assured that the trio remains safe inside their hotel, located roughly 700 meters from the Parliament and less than half a kilometre from the Prime Minister’s office, the hotspot of the ongoing violence.
“The people of Nepal are friendly towards tourists, especially Indians, and do not show any hostility towards us,” he said.
Parida added that local residents are taking care to ensure that foreigners are protected, and that the residential area around their hotel remains calm, while stating that their immediate area of Lalitpur is a residential zone and largely free from violence.
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Protests Escalate in Nepal
The protests, primarily led by youth in their teens and twenties, escalated after the Nepalese government blocked 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram.
Other age groups have also joined the demonstrations following the reported deaths of several students in retaliatory police fire. Parida said that the anger has been directed against political dynasties accused of corruption and lavish spending, including business deals and hotel ventures, at the expense of the common public.
“The youth are specifically targeting politicians and their offices, sparing common citizens and tourists from the violence,” he said.
Coordination with Indian Authorities
The Indian Embassy is in regular contact with Parida, Mohanty, and Sahoo. Embassy officials are coordinating their evacuation as soon as airport operations resume and airspace is cleared. Until then, the three Odias are staying indoors and following all safety precautions.
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Ongoing Tensions
The unrest has triggered nationwide curfews, roadblocks, and strikes across Nepal. Authorities have warned citizens to avoid large gatherings and exercise caution.
With at least 19 deaths and over 100 injuries reported in clashes with security forces, the protests reflect growing frustration over corruption, restricted free speech, and inequality.
The situation remains volatile, but the stranded people from Odisha report that common citizens and tourists are largely unaffected, which Parida stated was because of the native people’s hospitality.
