Over 100 foreign nationals have been found living in the forest areas of Kailali without permission. The individuals, from countries like India, the USA, and China, have been staying in the Simli Jungle of Ghodaghodi Municipality-9 for about a week and engaging in unusual activities.
The group, calling themselves “Rainbow Family Gathering,” was found to be without approval from any authority. As a result, Gogan Bahadur Hamal, the Chief District Officer of Kailali, has directed them to leave the area within 24 hours.
The foreign nationals were reported to have been involved in strange activities, including being partially naked and acting unusually. After receiving complaints, Chief District Officer Hamal, along with security officials, visited the forest on Thursday and instructed them to leave. Failure to comply would lead to legal action, he warned.
When questioned, the group stated that they were nature lovers and frequently traveled to different countries to live in natural environments. However, since they had not obtained permission from any Nepali authorities, the local administration has ordered them to vacate the area.
During the monitoring, it was confirmed that the foreign nationals were not engaging in activities that threatened public peace or security. However, it was clear they did not have permission from any government body.
There have also been reports that some local people from Ghodaghodi Municipality were coordinating with foreign nationals. After this information was reported, journalist Prakash Mishra from Sukhad was attacked on Thursday afternoon. Mishra had written about the unusual activities of the foreigners in the forest and the alleged involvement of local hotel owners in facilitating their stay.
Two individuals, 40-year-old Chet Bahadur Singh, the owner of a hotel in Pehalmanpur, and 48-year-old Dabal Bahadur Shah, the owner of a café in Ghodaghodi, were involved in the attack. The journalist’s organization has condemned the assault and called for action against the perpetrators. The local police have arrested Shah in connection with the attack.
Despite the administration’s instructions, the Ghodaghodi Municipality has expressed support for the foreign nationals, claiming it as a cultural exchange. Previously, similar groups of foreigners had entered the Ramaroshan area of Achham.
