KATHMANDU: Relatives of those missing in the Upper Trishuli-3 B hydropower project held a protest at Maitighar on Monday, demanding that the government prioritize search and rescue operations. A total of 178 employees and workers have been out of contact since the project was hit by floods in Rasuwa, which caused extensive damage to the site’s infrastructure.
Protesters accused the government of failing to show interest in the rescue efforts and preventing relatives from searching for their loved ones. Sumana Shrestha Amatya, whose husband, senior geologist Sumesh Amatya, is among the missing, criticized the government for failing to deploy helicopters and appropriate rescue equipment. She alleged that instead of proper rescue tools, the authorities sent teams equipped only with shovels and spades. She stated, This shows how helpless the government is.
The relatives claimed they have repeatedly drawn the attention of the Ministry of Home Affairs but have received no response. They demanded that the government either rescue the missing individuals alive or recover their bodies. While the government has cited difficulties in accessing the site, the families argued that such challenges should not be used as an excuse to neglect the rescue mission.
The protesters urged the government to seek international assistance to expedite the search. They expressed hope that if the government had acted earlier, the missing workers could have been rescued alive, citing instances where people were found alive even after 11 days of disaster. Participants carried placards demanding that the government prioritize the Trishuli-3 B site and provide information on the rescue status.
