494 NEPALI MIGRANT WORKERS REPATRIATED

KATHMANDU, June 19: The suspension of international flights due to the COVID-19 outbreak had completely halted the repatriation of dead bodies of Nepali migrant workers.

But finally, the mortal remains have started arriving in Nepal after nearly three months. Before this, the last dead body was brought to Nepal on March 23, a day before the nationwide lockdown was enforced to curb the spread of coronavirus. An Etihad Airways flight had brought the dead body of Bibek Thapa from the United Arab Emirates.

On Friday, three chartered flights carried 23 dead bodies to Kathmandu Daman, Kuwait and Doha.

According to Tribhuvan International Airport, 20 dead bodies were brought to Kathmandu from Doha via Qatar Airways, two bodies were brought from Daman via Himalayan Airlines and one from Kuwait via Jazeera Airways.

The chartered flights also repatriated 494 Nepali citizens from these destinations.

The TIA said that 43 Nepalis were brought home from Doha, 148 from Dubai, 150 from Kuwait and 153 from Damam, according to the TIA.

On Thursday, 150 Nepali migrant workers from Kuwait, 146 from Oman, 1 from Doha and 117 from Malaysia were repatriated to Kathmandu via Jazeera Airways, Salam Airways, Qatar Airways and Himalayan Airlines respectively.

Photos: Mukunda Kalikote/Reporters’ Club Nepal

KATHMANDU, Feb 10: The fire extinguishers have contained the fire at a coffee shop of the waiting hall at the international terminal at the Tribhuvan International Airport, which broke out Monday evening.

According to the police, the fire could have been resulted by a short-circuit.

Meanwhile, the international flights that were disrupted due to the arson have resumed their operation.

The details regarding the loss have yet to be gathered.

A memorandum of understanding to enhance the flights safety and airport capacity of TIA by improving reliability, efficiency and coverage of existing Radar Surveillance System was signed between both the countries.

Secretary at the Ministry of Finance Shanta Raj Subedi and Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Kunio Hakahasi signed the Exchange of Notes of this agreement.

Similarly, Madhu Kumar Marasini Joint-Secretary at the Ministry and Tsutomu Shimizu Chief Representative of JICA, Nepal, signed the agreement.

During the program, Subedi said there would be great contribution in regulation and security of the airport in air services from the assistance.

Likewise, Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Takahasi expressed belief that there would be reformed in air services of Nepal.

Police arrested Lama during security check at Tribhuvan International Airport this morning. He was to board an aircraft of Spice Jet Airways to New Delhi at 9 a.m.

The Airport Security Police held a news conference this afternoon and quoted Lama as saying in the preliminary interrogation that half of the amount was his while the rest was given him by a Chinese national. The Euro confiscated from Lama is equivalent to Rs 21.45 million.
Police said Lama who had been trading in herbs since the last 15 years in Bouddha area was also involved in illegal business. RSS