DHANGADI, SEPTEMBER 18

Hundreds of tourists from different countries said to be headed to Achham's Ramaroshan to take part in an 'international conference' have been stranded here.

Earlier, talks had been heard that some 2,000 persons from different countries were taking part in a massive conference in Ramaroshan.

But as there hasn't been any official confirmation of the conference as sought by the district authorities, hundreds of foreign nationals from countries like India, America, Canada, Poland, Italy, Rus-sia, Sweden, Israel, France, Spain and Thailand are stranded at different places.

While some are stranded on the border between Doti and Achham, others who have reached the conference site have been staying temporarily there for a few days now. 'After learning about tourists being stranded, we have instructed the subordinates to learn about the nature of the gathering, whether permission has been taken for the same or there is security risk posed by the conference in question,' said Umakanta Adhikari, information officer at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

'More than 100 foreigners are staying under tarpaulin at Chaukhutte, on the border between Achham and Doti for three days now, hoping they will get permission from the higher up,' said Bhansingh Saud, ward 6 member of Chaurpati Rural Municipality. Sixteen foreign nationals who too claimed they came for the conference returned after spending three days at the eastern entry point of Achham, Belakhet.

Most of the tourists are said to have reached Ramaroshan via India. 'Of those who have reached Ramaroshan, we have collected details of 49,' said Inspector Rajendra Saud of Achham.

A version of this article appears in the print on September 19, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.