Jun 24, Kathmandu - Twenty-two Nepali nationals held hostage in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, have been rescued with the support of local social organizations and police, the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi announced on Sunday. With this recent rescue, the total number of Nepalis freed from captivity in the region has reached 57.

Surendra Thapa, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Nepali Embassy, confirmed the operation, stating, “Twenty-two Nepali youths held hostage in Rudrapur have been rescued.” He added that authorities had been actively searching for victims after reports indicated that a gang had taken between 150 and 200 Nepalis hostage in the area.

Thapa explained that the gang lured Nepali nationals with promises of lucrative employment opportunities, only to detain them and extort money. Victims were coerced into opening bank accounts and obtaining Aadhaar cards, with some subjected to violence if they failed to pay ransom.

The rescue was prompted when one hostage managed to escape and reach the embassy through a local NGO. In addition, on Ashadha 25, another 35 Nepali youths held captive in Kashipur, near Rudrapur, were rescued with the assistance of local NGOs and law enforcement agencies. Some of these individuals had been held for up to ten months.

Victims reported that the gang extorted amounts ranging from Rs 12,000 to Rs 50,000 (approximately 19,200 to 80,000 Nepali rupees). They traveled to Uttarakhand via the Banbasa and Sunauli borders.

Uttarakhand police have arrested several individuals linked to the case and are continuing investigations. The rescued victims are expected to be repatriated to Nepal after completing legal procedures.