KATHMANDU: Ten foreign nationals have been arrested for conducting health camps while on tourist visas in Nepal. The individuals were allegedly involved in Christian religious activities and unauthorized health camps in Baragachhi, Kanepokhari Rural Municipality-7 of Morang district.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the group, associated with an organization named Mercy Development, had their passports seized. The District Monitoring Committee for Foreign Nationals decided to send their documents to the Department of Immigration for further legal action.
The four-day camp, which began on Oct. 25, involved ten foreigners, including three citizens from Brazil, two from Canada, and five from the United States. Records indicate they entered Nepal on Oct. 22 and 23, 2026, with visa expiration dates ranging from Nov. 6 to Nov. 21.
The activities were organized by Pastor Pavel Dangal. The site, which was originally intended for hospital construction by local grocery business owner Navraj Shrestha, has reportedly been used for religious classes and other programs. Local reports confirm that two pastors and several sewing instructors have been residing in the buildings constructed on the three-kattha plot of land.
