17 Bhutanese out of 22 dead

Tickets booked under Nepali names to ‘evade tax’

SANGAM PRASAIN

KATHMANDU, DEC 17 -

Out of 19 deceased passengers on board the ill-fated Tara Air aircraft, 17 are Bhutanese citizens.

According to Thamel-based Potala Guest House in the Capital, 14 of the deceased Bhutanese were living in the guest house since Dec. 11 and the remaining in Boudha.

One of the passengers was of Tibetan-origin holding US passport. However, identity of one passenger has not been established yet. In the group of 18 Bhutanese, who had planned a pilgrim trip to Khotang’s Halesi, Kin Lay Namghyel cancelled his trip at the

last moment. The victims had booked air tickets from Travel Lights Agency in Putalisadak. Kamala Gurung, managing director of the travel agency, said that a Nepali man came to her office and booked 18 tickets.

“I knew about the tragedy when a Bhutanese came to my office and inquired about the missing aircraft,” Gurung said adding that she then immediately informed Tara Air about

their identities. Gurung said that Nepali travelers do not need any document and they get their ticket booked by Nepali names. Police on Thursday took Gurung under control for an inquiry. Ramesh Kharel, Chief of Hanumandhoka Metropolitan Police Range, said the issue will be discussed with lawyers. “If it is a case of tax evasion action will be taken as per the law,” he said.

Kishore Thapa, Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA), said the issue has become serious. MoTCA is forming a committee to probe the duplication of nationality and the tragedy on Friday, he said. “The bodies of deceased Bhutanese will be sent to Bhutan on Friday.” Meanwhile, Binod Giri, aviation safety chief at Civil Aviation Authority, said that authorities have not established the exact reason of the crash. However, government officials in the accident site said the incident occurred after the plane’s right wing clipped the edge of a mountain.

Deceased Bhutanese

Tshewang Rinzin

Dema

Karma

Sandrup

Sangay

Thinley Rinchen

Phub Gyalmo

Kezang Wangmo

Phub Pem

Kuenzang Dorji

Lhazin Wangmo

Sangay Bida

Kelzang

Thering Yanki

Pema Wangmo

Tshering Wangmo

Dorji Bidha