KATHMANDU: Police have launched a search operation after 16 members of the same family reportedly went missing from Golanjor Rural Municipality in Sindhuli district.

The missing individuals belong to the family of Urmila Hayu, who lived near Chetpa in Ward-6 of the rural municipality, at a place called Bhandas Bippar Kateri.

Locals informed the Sindhuli District Police Office on Monday morning after the entire family was found missing.
Police team promptly arrived at the Hayu residence and began investigating the case.

The house showed signs of minor disturbance, and the family’s chickens, goats, and buffaloes were found abandoned. However, none of the family members were present.

Shankar Raj Baral, chair of Golanjor Rural Municipality, stated, “They may have gone missing since Saturday night or Sunday morning. The house is quite isolated, and there are no neighbors nearby, so no verified information could be obtained immediately. An inspector from the Khurkot police post has already been dispatched, leading a team to investigate the case.”

Authorities continue their search and investigation into the mysterious disappearance of the family members.

The Hayus are the Kirant tribe speaking their own language and are mostly animist by religion.