Amid growing uncertainty over Tamil Nadu pilgrims caught in the Nepal disaster, a Public Interest Litigation before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has sought urgent directions to the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government to establish the whereabouts of every pilgrim and ensure their rescue and safe return.
A Public Interest Litigation before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has sought urgent directions to the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government to establish the whereabouts of every pilgrim and ensure their rescue and safe return.
However, the centre nor the state government has released an official name-wise list of those who travelled, those rescued and those still missing. The plea, filed by advocate A F Parvesh Mushraf, has made the Union of India, represented by the Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, and the Minister (Consular), Embassy of India in Kathmandu, among the respondents. Besides the Kumbakonam-based travel operator Super Yathra Travels, have also been made respondents. Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Raj Mohan has also acknowledged the challenge of accounting for people who may have travelled independently or in smaller groups. It argues that where lives are at stake, the government’s response must be proactive and expeditious. The Tamil Nadu government has meanwhile established a helpline, deputed four ministers to Delhi to coordinate with the Centre, and is sending the Tamil Nadu Resident Commissioner in Delhi and his team to Nepal to expedite relief operations and the return of stranded pilgrims.
The concern gains significance as the Tamil Nadu government, based on travel itineraries shared by two tour operators, has said 103 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu travelled to Nepal.
The plea invokes the constitutional obligation of the State to protect citizens who are helpless outside the country, citing earlier judgments of the Madras High Court.
