5 days ago
Plea Seeks Verified Status, Rescue of Tamil Nadu Pilgrims
A disaster in Nepal has left families unsure about the safety of some Tamil Nadu pilgrims.
Some people from a 57-member group are reportedly safe, but about 37 are still unaccounted for.
Tamil Nadu says 103 pilgrims travelled to Nepal.
However, officials have not published a complete list showing who is safe, injured or missing.
A lawyer has asked the Madras High Court to order the governments to check every pilgrim’s status.
He also wants missing people found and rescued.
The government has opened a helpline and is sending officials to help.
The court may consider the request and the rescue efforts.
A Public Interest Litigation seeks an official, person-wise account of Tamil Nadu pilgrims affected by the Nepal disaster.
The petition says a 57-member Kumbakonam group has had fluctuating reports, with about 37 people reportedly unaccounted for.
Tamil Nadu has said 103 pilgrims travelled to Nepal, but no official name-wise list of those safe, rescued or missing has been released.
The plea asks authorities to coordinate with Nepalese search-and-rescue agencies, provide medical care and repatriate stranded pilgrims.
Tamil Nadu has opened a helpline, sent four ministers to Delhi and plans to send its Resident Commissioner’s team to Nepal.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu pilgrims, their families, the Union and Tamil Nadu governments, the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Nepalese rescue authorities and Super Yathra Travels.
- What
- A Public Interest Litigation seeks verified information, search and rescue, medical assistance and safe repatriation for pilgrims affected by the Nepal disaster.
- Where
- Nepal, with the petition filed before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.
- When
- The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court was likely to hear the petition today; the article does not specify the calendar date.
- Why
- Families lack reliable information because roads, bridges and communications in the mountainous region have been damaged, while no official person-wise status list has been released.
Key facts
- Petition
- Public Interest Litigation filed by advocate A F Parvesh Mushraf.
- Affected group
- A Kumbakonam-based pilgrimage group of 57 members.
- Reported unaccounted
- Approximately 37 members of the Kumbakonam group, according to the affidavit.
- Tamil Nadu total
- The Tamil Nadu government said 103 pilgrims travelled to Nepal based on itineraries from two tour operators.
- Requested status list
- A verified, person-wise list identifying pilgrims who are safe, hospitalised, rescued or still unaccounted for.
- Government measures
- Tamil Nadu established a helpline and deputed four ministers to Delhi to coordinate with the Centre.
- Planned Nepal mission
- The Tamil Nadu Resident Commissioner in Delhi and his team are being sent to Nepal to assist relief and return efforts.
Quotes
A F Parvesh Mushraf
Advocate who filed the Public Interest Litigation before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court
“Continued dependence on informal or media-sourced information is wholly unacceptable where 57 human lives...are at stake.”
NDTV
Sources
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