A woman from Uttarakhand lost her life in Nepal after violent protests swept through Kathmandu earlier this week. Her body was recovered 48 hours after she went missing, leaving her family and community in deep shock.
The victim, identified as Rajesh Devi Gola, 55, had traveled with her husband to Kathmandu on September 7 to visit the Pashupatinath Temple. On the night of September 9, violence broke out in the city and their hotel, the Hyatt Residency, was reportedly set on fire by protesters during the unrest.
As the flames spread, hotel guests were instructed to escape by any possible means. Rajesh Devi and her husband attempted to flee from a fourth-floor window by tying together bedsheets and curtains. Her husband managed to survive the descent with minor injuries, but Rajesh Devi fell during the attempt and sustained critical injuries.
The Nepal Army took her to a nearby hospital, but she did not survive. Her body was only identified and officially confirmed two days later. Local officials and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu are coordinating with Uttarakhand authorities to repatriate her remains.
Her husband, still recovering from the ordeal, recounted the terrifying experience to reporters. “We were desperate to get out. She slipped and I could not save her. The situation was chaotic, and there was no one to guide us,” he said.
The incident has sparked outrage and grief in Uttarakhand. Many residents have questioned whether enough precautions were taken to protect foreign visitors during the unrest. Community leaders also called on the government to strengthen travel advisories and ensure that Indians abroad receive timely information in crisis situations.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed condolences to the family and promised state support. “This is a heartbreaking loss. The government of Uttarakhand will extend all possible assistance to the family in their hour of grief,” he said.
Legal experts and human rights groups have urged for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Questions have been raised about the speed of rescue operations, the safety measures in place at the hotel, and whether official warnings about the unrest reached Indian travelers in time.
The death of Rajesh Devi Gola highlights the risks ordinary citizens face when caught in sudden violence abroad. For her grieving family in Uttarakhand, what was meant to be a spiritual journey has ended in irreparable loss.
