Indian Pilgrims Returning From Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Stranded At Nepal Airport Amid Protests

Last Updated:September 10, 2025, 09:48 IST

All airport staff, including security and airline personnel, have been asked to leave the airport premises and return home immediately, leading to a chaos on the airport premises.

KP Sharma Oli resigned as Prime Minister on Tuesday following violent protests triggered by a ban on major social media platforms and anger over corruption

Amid protests in Nepal, the devotees coming from pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar remain stranded at the Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport for over 24 hours after the authorities issued orders to shut down flights.

“Four out of the six flights scheduled to bring back passengers from Kathmandu were cancelled after the airport was closed around 1 p.m. on Tuesday. Nearly, 700 air travellers are stranded. We are seized of the matter and in touch with airlines and the Ministry of External Affairs,” a senior government official told The Hindu on condition of anonymity.

Among the Indians stranded at the airport is a group of 130 devotees from Isha Foundation who had gone to Mansarovar.

“We don’t know what to do. The airport gates are shut, they won’t let us out, and the military and police are pushing us back inside. There is no food, no water, and no shops open to even buy something to eat,” 38-year-old Rajani Maski told Times of India. She is travelling with her husband Raghuveer Yavagal from Bengaluru.

“We are stuck in a closed room like prisoners. People are panicking, some are crying, and others are falling sick. There is only one charging point for everyone, which makes it even more difficult to stay connected with our families back home,” she further said.

“Many are debating whether to leave the airport and find safer shelter, but the streets are chaotic. It feels like we are trapped either way,” she added.

The Hindu quoted the airline officials as saying that all airport staff, including security and airline personnel, had been asked to leave the airport premises and return home immediately, leading to a complete chaos on the airport premises.

KP Sharma Oli resigned as Prime Minister on Tuesday following violent protests triggered by a ban on major social media platforms and anger over corruption. At least 19 people were killed and hundreds were injured in the deadly clash between the forces and the demonstrators, mostly youths leading what came to be called the “Gen Z” movement.

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