| Bhutanese refugees demand vote rights |
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| World Affairs Talk | |
| Friday, 01 June 2007 | |
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The refugees now living in Nepal demanded their right to return to their birthplace to take part in the voting as they feel that they are also a part of the historic moment. But, with much of the displeasure, they only received baton from the security forces. At least 35 policemen and dozens of refugees were injured on 28th May as many of the estimated 10,000 refugees hurled stones at Indian forces, demanding their passage. On 29th May, Indian troops opened fire on hundreds of Bhutanese refugees killing one and wounding at least 11. Chief government administrator in the area confirmed that shots had been fired in the border town of Karkarvitta, which is about 550 km east of Nepali capital Kathmandu. Indian officials said that they were compelled to open fire to control the violence after 50 border troops were wounded as a result of stone-throwing by the crowd. A witness said that Indian troops lined up on the border bridge and issued a verbal warning at first before firing. In the meantime, a group of refugees on 30 May staged a demonstration in front of the Indian embassy in Kathmandu and demanding right of passage to their homeland through Indian territory and to protest firing incident on the Indo-Nepal border. Chanting slogans against the Indian government, the refugees attempted to burn the effigy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh but were stopped by some three dozen riot policemen. On recent development, the refugees agreed to postpone their long march for 15 days to ease tension. The Indian side has also decided to release those refugees who were detained during demonstrations. A team led by Chief District Administrator of Jhapa district Jaya Mukunda Khanal comprising Nepalese officials, Bhutanese refugee leaders and local political leaders reached Panitanki to hold talk with the Indian officials. History reveals that tens of thousands of ethnic Nepalese were expelled from Bhutan or fled in 1991 only for demanding democracy and protesting against discrimination. About 106,000 of them live in crowded camps in southeastern Nepal. The US government in early May 2007 offered at least 60,000 Bhutanese refugees resettlement in the country and the process of selecting the refugees has already started at the camps, which has invited a mixed reaction from camp inmates. It is expected that both Indian and Bhutanese governments take a humanitarian approach in dealing the situation. Share & Bookmark             |
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