Guwahati, April 25 (IANS): Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday asked the state chief secretary to take steps to ensure the safe return of at least 45 pilgrims from the state who have been stranded in Nepal following the massive earthquake.

Gogoi also directed the chief secretary to take stock of the situation in Assam and directed him to see whether there was any loss of property due to the earthquake.

Family members of some of the pilgrims were able to contact them, while some remained
untraced.

"I got my father on the phone. He was shocked and fear stricken. He was crying when he received my call but said he was alright. The hotel he was staying in was damaged and some other pilgrims were injured," said Pranita Deka, a resident of Guwahati.

The tremor that shook Nepal and northern states in India, was also felt in Assam and other parts of the northeastern region. Although there was no report of any major damage in Assam, cracks appeared in some buildings after the quake.