KATHMANDU, JULY 28
A family of 16 from the endangered Hayu community has gone missing from a remote village in Sindhuli district, prompting a police-led search operation.
The family resided in a secluded house near the forest in Golanjor Rural Municipality-6 of the district.
Local residents first reported the disappearance after noticing the house deserted on Monday. The kitchen, separate from the main house, appeared to have been damaged by fire, although household belongings remained intact.
Preliminary information indicates that the family was last seen on Friday, July 25. On the previous day, all 16 members had received their quarterly social security allowance under a government program for the Hayu community, with Rs 4,000 per person.
The family kept livestock, including buffaloes, goats, pigs, and poultry. Some of the animals were found unattended on the property. Pork meat and slaughter remains were also discovered at the site. Mobile phones belonging to the family members are reportedly all switched off. According to police, the last known locations of the phones were traced to the area around Wards 8 and 9 of Ramechhap district. Authorities have since launched a search operation in that area.
There are no reports of any natural disasters or incidents in the vicinity that could explain the family's disappearance, according to local authorities. Police teams have been deployed in both Sindhuli and Ramechhap districts to trace their whereabouts. The family had reportedly fallen into debt in recent years following the death of the head of the household.
Authorities have identified all 16 missing individuals and are continuing the investigation.
