BJP urges govt. to take up issue of stranded pilgrims with Nepal, China

New Delhi, June 9 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday urged the Central Government to take up with their Nepalese and Chinese counterparts the rescue of the stranded pilgrims to Kailash Mansarover.

According to reports, hundreds of pilgrims, who are on their way to Kailash Mansarover, have been stranded in Nepal following a road blockade near the Tibetan border.

"The pilgrims, who have gone to Kailash Mansarover via Nepal are stranded. They don't even have food to eat and proper place to stay. According to reports, six pilgrims have even died. The visa of stranded pilgrims is limited for a short period and if we do not take any immediate actions then the pilgrims could even go to prison," said Sushma Swaraj, senior BJP leader.

She urged the government to talk to their Chinese and Nepalese counterparts and help rescue the pilgrims as soon as possible.

On the issue of proposed Civil Services Bill, 2009, which would prevent political interference in the bureaucracy, Swaraj said that her party would take a decision after talking to all the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Chief Ministers of the states.

"Another issue that has come to the fore about the intention of the UPA Government is about the IAS and IPS officers. We have decided that we will thoroughly analyse the Bill and after discussing it with all the NDA state Chief Ministers, the party will take its decision," she said. (ANI)