The condition of three refugee youths injured by the firing of Indian police at Mechi Bridge during the Long March has worsened further.
Rana Bahadur Bhandari of Khudunabari camp, Laxmi Narayan Dhungana and Nagannath Neupane of Goldhap camp has been undergoing treatment at the BP Koirala Institute of Health and Sciences in Dharan. No one, including the organisers National Front for Democracy (NFD) has helped for their treatment.
Bhandari has been shot on the waist, thigh and hand and a bullet is lodged in the rib of Neupane. Dhungana's case is more serious because the bullet pierced his back and injured his liver as well.
Meanwhile, AMDA, which is contract agency with UNHCR to provide health facilities to the refugees, has also refused to admit the injured refugees for treatment. nepalnews.com ia June 03 07
The Sorry Saga of Bhutan's North
Click over the map to know the differences
Monday, June 4, 2007
15 governments condemn Maoist attack on US envoy
The Japan News.Net
Saturday 2nd June, 2007 (IANS)
An attack by Maoists on the US envoy to Nepal has ignited condemnations from 15 countries that have urged the government to ensure the safety of foreign diplomats.
Representatives of the 15 countries, including some of Nepal's biggest donors the US, European Union, Japan and India, signed a statement saying the security and safety of foreign diplomats must be assured.
However, China, which in the past supported King Gyanendra's coup and now has stepped up overtures to the new government, was not a signatory.
The other countries that condemned the attack included Israel, Malaysia, France, Germany, Australia, Thailand, Finland, Denmark and South Korea.
The diplomatic rap came after US ambassador to Nepal James Francis Moriarty got stoned May 25 while travelling to eastern Nepal, where the Bhutanese refugee camps are located.
The Diplomatic Corps of Nepal said it was deeply concerned by the recent upsurge in 'security incidents that have threatened foreign diplomats or otherwise impeded their work in the country.
'We condemn any and all attempts to harm, threaten or interfere with foreign diplomats working in Nepal,' the statement said. 'Targeting or threatening diplomats in Nepal on their countries' official business is unacceptable.'
Besides asking all political groups and activists to respect the rule of law and abjure violence, the countries also reminded Nepal's eight-party government, which includes the Maoists, to ensure the security and safety of diplomats.
On May 25, Moriarty, accompanied by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative in Nepal Abraham Abraham, was returning from the Beldangi refugee camp in Jhapa district where he had gone to explain to the camp residents the details of the US offer to provide a new home and life to them on American soil.
The US offer is being opposed by a section of the refugees, who want to return home to Bhutan. They feel that if a large number of their peers go to the US, the pressure on Bhutan to take its evicted citizens back would lessen.
While there is growing tension in the Bhutanese camps over the offer, a militant youth wing of the Maoists, the Young Communist League (YCL), attacked the US envoy with stones outside the refugee camps.
The incident has left Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's government red-faced since the Maoist Party is now a leading partner in the ruling coalition.
Though YCL has been on a rampage frequently, in violation of the peace pact the rebels signed with the government last year, little action has been taken against them.
Following the attack on the US envoy, police have so far arrested and charged only four rebel cadres when, according to Nepal's state media, about 40 to 50 of them were involved in the stone throwing incident.
The attack has severely dented Nepal's image and caused Washington to express doubts about the ongoing peace process.
The US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Barry R. Lowenkron, who was on a four-day visit to Nepal this week, expressed concerns about YCL's activities to Koirala as well as Foreign Minister Shahana Pradhan and Speaker Subhash Chandra Nembang.
The last time the Diplomatic Corps had administered a warning to the Nepal government was during King Gyanendra's 15-month regime when telephone lines were disconnected.
Saturday 2nd June, 2007 (IANS)
An attack by Maoists on the US envoy to Nepal has ignited condemnations from 15 countries that have urged the government to ensure the safety of foreign diplomats.
Representatives of the 15 countries, including some of Nepal's biggest donors the US, European Union, Japan and India, signed a statement saying the security and safety of foreign diplomats must be assured.
However, China, which in the past supported King Gyanendra's coup and now has stepped up overtures to the new government, was not a signatory.
The other countries that condemned the attack included Israel, Malaysia, France, Germany, Australia, Thailand, Finland, Denmark and South Korea.
The diplomatic rap came after US ambassador to Nepal James Francis Moriarty got stoned May 25 while travelling to eastern Nepal, where the Bhutanese refugee camps are located.
The Diplomatic Corps of Nepal said it was deeply concerned by the recent upsurge in 'security incidents that have threatened foreign diplomats or otherwise impeded their work in the country.
'We condemn any and all attempts to harm, threaten or interfere with foreign diplomats working in Nepal,' the statement said. 'Targeting or threatening diplomats in Nepal on their countries' official business is unacceptable.'
Besides asking all political groups and activists to respect the rule of law and abjure violence, the countries also reminded Nepal's eight-party government, which includes the Maoists, to ensure the security and safety of diplomats.
On May 25, Moriarty, accompanied by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative in Nepal Abraham Abraham, was returning from the Beldangi refugee camp in Jhapa district where he had gone to explain to the camp residents the details of the US offer to provide a new home and life to them on American soil.
The US offer is being opposed by a section of the refugees, who want to return home to Bhutan. They feel that if a large number of their peers go to the US, the pressure on Bhutan to take its evicted citizens back would lessen.
While there is growing tension in the Bhutanese camps over the offer, a militant youth wing of the Maoists, the Young Communist League (YCL), attacked the US envoy with stones outside the refugee camps.
The incident has left Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's government red-faced since the Maoist Party is now a leading partner in the ruling coalition.
Though YCL has been on a rampage frequently, in violation of the peace pact the rebels signed with the government last year, little action has been taken against them.
Following the attack on the US envoy, police have so far arrested and charged only four rebel cadres when, according to Nepal's state media, about 40 to 50 of them were involved in the stone throwing incident.
The attack has severely dented Nepal's image and caused Washington to express doubts about the ongoing peace process.
The US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Barry R. Lowenkron, who was on a four-day visit to Nepal this week, expressed concerns about YCL's activities to Koirala as well as Foreign Minister Shahana Pradhan and Speaker Subhash Chandra Nembang.
The last time the Diplomatic Corps had administered a warning to the Nepal government was during King Gyanendra's 15-month regime when telephone lines were disconnected.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
RITU RAJ CHHETRI TO CONTEST FROM SIBSOO
A lawyer for Sibsoo
By Sonam Pelvar May 27, 2007
Thimphu: Democracy might have failed in some countries for reasons like illiteracy, ignorance, vote bank politics, misuse of freedom and because people think they can do anything with a democratic government. But this will not be the case with Bhutan.
>>Ritu Raj Chhetri
Expressive with his communication abilities, Ritu Raj Chhetri, a senior legal officer with the National Environment Commission, gives an air of someone prone to deep thinking when it comes to issues that affect the mass.
Having already submitted his resignation from the civil service, he is ready to run for the People’s Democratic Party from Sibsoo constituency in Samtse.
“I’m responding to the need of the hour when yet another milestone in our history is about to be unfurled,” he said. “I chose to run from PDP because the party is led by a person known for his service to the people.”
With his law background, Ritu Raj, who has a bachelor’s degree from the Government Law College in Mumbai, adds another color to the political fray brewing by the day. He also comes from a family whose members have always held the post of local leaders.
His father, Dasho Janga Bahadur Chhetri, was a popular figure in the country who was awarded the coronation medal in 1974. That is why he feels that he has a very strong social network and can really reach out to the people.
“Providing proper communication facilities and basic amenities such as road, water and electricity which are lacking in most parts of my constituency will be my top agenda,” said Ritu Raj, who holds a Master of Environmental Law (with a major in Democracy and Human Rights and International Law) from the Australian National University.
He strongly believes in the philosophy of Gross National Happiness and is positive that in the next five years Bhutan will make tremendous progress in all areas and people will reap greater benefits.
Although the number of women who have come forward to join politics so far is too few, he feels that Bhutanese women have an equal opportunity to participate in the process. “Bhutanese women are fortunate to have equal opportunity under the law to participate in politics and they should make use of the opportunity,” he said.
Ritu Raj is of the opinion that Bhutan must march toward democracy with right attitude and mindset. And one of the ways in which the present government has tried to ensure that is through the qualification criteria, he said.
Asked whether Bhutan was headed for a stronger upper house, he said: “No, firstly the Constitution does not provide for a stronger upper house. Secondly the upper house is also referred to as the house of elders and it should be manned by experienced and matured people, otherwise, it will be weak and during joint sittings the upper house will not be able to voice itself out.”
By Sonam Pelvar May 27, 2007
Thimphu: Democracy might have failed in some countries for reasons like illiteracy, ignorance, vote bank politics, misuse of freedom and because people think they can do anything with a democratic government. But this will not be the case with Bhutan.
>>Ritu Raj Chhetri
Expressive with his communication abilities, Ritu Raj Chhetri, a senior legal officer with the National Environment Commission, gives an air of someone prone to deep thinking when it comes to issues that affect the mass.
Having already submitted his resignation from the civil service, he is ready to run for the People’s Democratic Party from Sibsoo constituency in Samtse.
“I’m responding to the need of the hour when yet another milestone in our history is about to be unfurled,” he said. “I chose to run from PDP because the party is led by a person known for his service to the people.”
With his law background, Ritu Raj, who has a bachelor’s degree from the Government Law College in Mumbai, adds another color to the political fray brewing by the day. He also comes from a family whose members have always held the post of local leaders.
His father, Dasho Janga Bahadur Chhetri, was a popular figure in the country who was awarded the coronation medal in 1974. That is why he feels that he has a very strong social network and can really reach out to the people.
“Providing proper communication facilities and basic amenities such as road, water and electricity which are lacking in most parts of my constituency will be my top agenda,” said Ritu Raj, who holds a Master of Environmental Law (with a major in Democracy and Human Rights and International Law) from the Australian National University.
He strongly believes in the philosophy of Gross National Happiness and is positive that in the next five years Bhutan will make tremendous progress in all areas and people will reap greater benefits.
Although the number of women who have come forward to join politics so far is too few, he feels that Bhutanese women have an equal opportunity to participate in the process. “Bhutanese women are fortunate to have equal opportunity under the law to participate in politics and they should make use of the opportunity,” he said.
Ritu Raj is of the opinion that Bhutan must march toward democracy with right attitude and mindset. And one of the ways in which the present government has tried to ensure that is through the qualification criteria, he said.
Asked whether Bhutan was headed for a stronger upper house, he said: “No, firstly the Constitution does not provide for a stronger upper house. Secondly the upper house is also referred to as the house of elders and it should be manned by experienced and matured people, otherwise, it will be weak and during joint sittings the upper house will not be able to voice itself out.”
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Acid attack on Bhutan border
A series of news reporting.
1.Refugees Intent on Return to Bhutan Thwarted in Attempt to Cross Border Into India From Nepal
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-05-29-voa44.cfm
2. Acid attack on Bhutan border
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070530/asp/nation/story_7850359.asp
3.Indian troops fire to keep refugees out
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=836d86e0-2ca8-4512-8e41-e1ca35dfc2ef&&Headline=Indian+troops+fire+to+keep+refugees+out+
4. Bhutan refugees clash in N Bengal
http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=87330
5. Firing on Bhutanese refugees, one dies
http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=1&theme=&usrsess=1&id=157700
6. Indian police fire on Bhutanese refugees
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200705/s1937032.htm
7. Indian Troops Fire at Bhutanese Refugees
http://www.courant.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-nepal-bhutan-refugees,0,6641531.story
8. Clash coincides with mock poll in Bhutan: Marcus Dam
http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/30/stories/2007053007521200.htm
9.Bhutanese refugees clash with Indian security forces
http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/30/stories/2007053012520100.htm
10.Indian police fire on Bhutanese refugees fleeing Nepal
http://www.bakutoday.net/view.php?d=37524
11.Indian Police Fire on Bhutanese.
http://rawstory.com/news/dpa/Indian_police_open_fire_on_Bhutanes_05292007.html
12.At least 50 Bhutanese refugees injured in clash with Indian police in Nepal
http://english.people.com.cn/200705/29/eng20070529_379027.html
13.Indian border troops open fire on Bhutanese refugees trying to return home
http://www.pr-inside.com/rss/indian-border-troops-open-fire-on-bhutanese-refugees-trying-to-return-home-r137565.htm
TURMOIL IN CAMPS
India denies passage to Bhutan
Refugee death toll reaches 2
TURMOIL IN REFUGEE CAMPS
BY CHETAN ADHIKARI IN DAMAK, UPENDRA POKHAREL IN KAKARBHITTA & TILAK POKHAREL IN KATHMANDU
KATHMANDU, May 28 - While violence in the Bhutanese refugee camps that started on Sunday took a nasty turn a day later with one more death and dozens more injuries, the turmoil has only been exacerbated as India was on Monday directly dragged into the refugee crisis.
With the death of a refugee, Purna Bahadur Tamang at Beldangi-II camp, the toll reached two on Monday. Tamang, who was injured seriously after he being hit on his back by a police-fired plastic bullet, succumbed to his wounds while undergoing treatment at Amda Hospital. Police had resorted to opening fire after refugees staging demonstrations defying the curfew didn't budge an inch. Eighteen each from the police and demonstrators were injured in the clash.
The condition of two of the 18 injured policemen - DSP Krishna Raj Pathak and assistant head constable Prem Chaudhary - is critical, according to Superintendent of Police Naresh Karki of the Armed Police Force, Pathibhara Battalion. Four of the 18 refugees were injured by rubber bullets. On Sunday, Narapati Dhungel, an eighth grader, had died after being hit by bullets fired by police to disperse the demonstrators pelting stones at them.
Though refugee activists have accused police of "provoking" refugees assembled for Dhungel's funeral procession, police said the situation turned tense when they stopped refugees from marching toward an office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) by defying curfew orders.
In a statement in Kathmandu, UNHCR has appealed to the refugees to abide by the laws of the host country.
Police resorted to firing in the air and also fired dozens of teargas shells to disperse the refugees pelting stones at them. Gunshots were heard for around two hours in the area, according to locals. More police reinforcements were mobilized in the area from Kankalini battalion Pakali, Siddhakali battalion Itahari and Urlabari Base Camp after Pathibhara battalion was unable to bring the situation under control.
UNHCR Representative Abraham Abraham said the turmoil in the camps was "a disturbing state of affairs". All humanitarian activities couldn't be carried out in the camps, Monday.
The whole crisis had started on Sunday after some "Maoist refugees", who have been pushing for respectful repatriation to Bhutan while vehemently opposing third country resettlement offers from the US and other countries, thrashed a pro-resettlement refugee activist (Hari Bangale). When police reached there to rescue Bangale, the refugees attacked them, prompting the former to start firing.
India's attempt to stop refugees turns violent
More fuel was added to the flame after Indian security forces' attempt on Monday to stop hundreds of refugee activists trying to march toward Bhutan via India turned violent. Over a dozen refugees sustained injuries as Indian forces deployed along Nepal-India border resorted to baton-charge and fired tear gas shells at Mechi Bridge. Indian forces have arrested 28 refugees, of whom 26 are women.
Accompanied by Indian lawmakers (Dr Sunalim Mishra and Brijbhushan Tiwari, among others) and Nepal's political party leaders, the refugees had reached there on the first day of their "Long March" toward home, but to be returned and arrested by SSB forces. Those being returned have been staging a sit-in protest on the Bridge.
Thinley Penjore, chairman of National Front for Democracy Bhutan which was the organizer of the campaign; Balaram Poudel, DB Rana Sampang and Gup Khilla, all vice chairmen of the organization; and human rights leader DP Kafle, were among those injured in India's crackdown. The injured have been admitted in hospitals in Kakarbhitta, Birtamod, Dhulabari and Bhadrapur.
Indian forces had used force after the refugees forcibly attempted to make their way. The Nepal-India border was sealed from Sunday, while a huge number of security personnel were deployed to foil the refugees' attempt.
Though the organizers "Long March" campaign aimed to assemble over 15,000 refugees at Mechi Bridge, violence in the camp made it impossible.
Most of the 106,000 refugees of Nepali-origin, evicted from Bhutan in the early 1990s in an ethnic cleansing, blame India - which has a huge amount of influence over the Druk regime - of not doing anything to ensure their voluntary repatriation.
A disturbing state of affairs: UNHCR
Expressing "grave concern" over the violence that has "alarmed" him, UNHCR representative Abraham has termed the violence "a disturbing state of affairs" while earnestly calling upon all refugees and concerned parties to resolve the matter peacefully.
"The situation continues to be tense in the camp which seems to have spilled over to other refugee camps in the eastern region," said the statement, adding that UNHCR is reviewing its daily presence in the
camps, until the situation stabilizes, for security of staff and UN property.
The UN refugee agency also expressed its concern that prolongation of the deteriorating security situation in the camps could affect its humanitarian operation, as well as the smooth delivery of food in the camps by the UN World Food Program (WFP).
Lutheran World Federation (LWF), the only implementing INGO of UNHCR, said it couldn't carry out any activity inside the camps on Monday. "LWF's Eastern Region Coordination Unit couldn't carry out any 'normal care and maintenance activities' inside the seven camps," said Beena Kharel, LWF's Communications and Documentation Manager. "We are waiting and watching and we hope that the situation improves and we will be able to carry out normal activities."
Besides UNHCR and LWF, Caritas and WFP are other agencies providing humanitarian support to refugees.
Refugee death toll reaches 2
TURMOIL IN REFUGEE CAMPS
BY CHETAN ADHIKARI IN DAMAK, UPENDRA POKHAREL IN KAKARBHITTA & TILAK POKHAREL IN KATHMANDU
KATHMANDU, May 28 - While violence in the Bhutanese refugee camps that started on Sunday took a nasty turn a day later with one more death and dozens more injuries, the turmoil has only been exacerbated as India was on Monday directly dragged into the refugee crisis.
With the death of a refugee, Purna Bahadur Tamang at Beldangi-II camp, the toll reached two on Monday. Tamang, who was injured seriously after he being hit on his back by a police-fired plastic bullet, succumbed to his wounds while undergoing treatment at Amda Hospital. Police had resorted to opening fire after refugees staging demonstrations defying the curfew didn't budge an inch. Eighteen each from the police and demonstrators were injured in the clash.
The condition of two of the 18 injured policemen - DSP Krishna Raj Pathak and assistant head constable Prem Chaudhary - is critical, according to Superintendent of Police Naresh Karki of the Armed Police Force, Pathibhara Battalion. Four of the 18 refugees were injured by rubber bullets. On Sunday, Narapati Dhungel, an eighth grader, had died after being hit by bullets fired by police to disperse the demonstrators pelting stones at them.
Though refugee activists have accused police of "provoking" refugees assembled for Dhungel's funeral procession, police said the situation turned tense when they stopped refugees from marching toward an office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) by defying curfew orders.
In a statement in Kathmandu, UNHCR has appealed to the refugees to abide by the laws of the host country.
Police resorted to firing in the air and also fired dozens of teargas shells to disperse the refugees pelting stones at them. Gunshots were heard for around two hours in the area, according to locals. More police reinforcements were mobilized in the area from Kankalini battalion Pakali, Siddhakali battalion Itahari and Urlabari Base Camp after Pathibhara battalion was unable to bring the situation under control.
UNHCR Representative Abraham Abraham said the turmoil in the camps was "a disturbing state of affairs". All humanitarian activities couldn't be carried out in the camps, Monday.
The whole crisis had started on Sunday after some "Maoist refugees", who have been pushing for respectful repatriation to Bhutan while vehemently opposing third country resettlement offers from the US and other countries, thrashed a pro-resettlement refugee activist (Hari Bangale). When police reached there to rescue Bangale, the refugees attacked them, prompting the former to start firing.
India's attempt to stop refugees turns violent
More fuel was added to the flame after Indian security forces' attempt on Monday to stop hundreds of refugee activists trying to march toward Bhutan via India turned violent. Over a dozen refugees sustained injuries as Indian forces deployed along Nepal-India border resorted to baton-charge and fired tear gas shells at Mechi Bridge. Indian forces have arrested 28 refugees, of whom 26 are women.
Accompanied by Indian lawmakers (Dr Sunalim Mishra and Brijbhushan Tiwari, among others) and Nepal's political party leaders, the refugees had reached there on the first day of their "Long March" toward home, but to be returned and arrested by SSB forces. Those being returned have been staging a sit-in protest on the Bridge.
Thinley Penjore, chairman of National Front for Democracy Bhutan which was the organizer of the campaign; Balaram Poudel, DB Rana Sampang and Gup Khilla, all vice chairmen of the organization; and human rights leader DP Kafle, were among those injured in India's crackdown. The injured have been admitted in hospitals in Kakarbhitta, Birtamod, Dhulabari and Bhadrapur.
Indian forces had used force after the refugees forcibly attempted to make their way. The Nepal-India border was sealed from Sunday, while a huge number of security personnel were deployed to foil the refugees' attempt.
Though the organizers "Long March" campaign aimed to assemble over 15,000 refugees at Mechi Bridge, violence in the camp made it impossible.
Most of the 106,000 refugees of Nepali-origin, evicted from Bhutan in the early 1990s in an ethnic cleansing, blame India - which has a huge amount of influence over the Druk regime - of not doing anything to ensure their voluntary repatriation.
A disturbing state of affairs: UNHCR
Expressing "grave concern" over the violence that has "alarmed" him, UNHCR representative Abraham has termed the violence "a disturbing state of affairs" while earnestly calling upon all refugees and concerned parties to resolve the matter peacefully.
"The situation continues to be tense in the camp which seems to have spilled over to other refugee camps in the eastern region," said the statement, adding that UNHCR is reviewing its daily presence in the
camps, until the situation stabilizes, for security of staff and UN property.
The UN refugee agency also expressed its concern that prolongation of the deteriorating security situation in the camps could affect its humanitarian operation, as well as the smooth delivery of food in the camps by the UN World Food Program (WFP).
Lutheran World Federation (LWF), the only implementing INGO of UNHCR, said it couldn't carry out any activity inside the camps on Monday. "LWF's Eastern Region Coordination Unit couldn't carry out any 'normal care and maintenance activities' inside the seven camps," said Beena Kharel, LWF's Communications and Documentation Manager. "We are waiting and watching and we hope that the situation improves and we will be able to carry out normal activities."
Besides UNHCR and LWF, Caritas and WFP are other agencies providing humanitarian support to refugees.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Bhutanese camp under curfew in Nepal
www.chinaview.cn 2007-05-28 15:39:48
KATHMANDU, May 28 (Xinhua) -- The government of Nepal's Jhapa District Monday issued a curfew order in the refugee camp in Beldangi as tensions soared, the local leading media group's website THT Online reported.
The situation on Monday worsened at the Bhutanese refugee camp in Beldangi, some 310 km east of the capital Kathmandu, following the death of a refugee in a clash with Nepali armed police force on Sunday.
In Monday morning, at least six persons including two policemen were injured as clashes continued between the refugees and the police.
The district administration office imposed a curfew in the Beldangi area from 11:45 a.m. (0600 GMT).
Protesting refugees defied the curfew order and continued demonstrations. Police and refugees exchanged stones, and police rained lathis to control the irate refugees.
Nara Pati Dhungel, 17, was killed Sunday when police opened fire after refugees attacked a police team that had gone to the camp after receiving information that refugees were engaged in a fight.
The fight between two groups of refugees, one in favor of the third country resettlement and another for repatriation, broke out following a dispute with Hari Bagale Adhikari, secretary of the camp.
Meanwhile, India sealed its border with Jhapa to foil the refugees' plan for a return to Bhutan Monday.
With the objective of realizing their wish of repatriation, 15,000 out of 106,000 Bhutanese refugees of all the seven camps in Nepal are planning to head towards Bhutan by crossing the Mechi bridge into India.
The march is called on by the National Front for Democracy (NFD-Bhutan). The NFD-Bhutan has already appealed to the Indian government to allow them to walk through India into Bhutan. In the past, Indian security forces always stopped the refugees from crossing into India.
Editor: Xiao Jie
Other source says
Curfew clamped on Bhutanese refugee camp as tension escalates
Posted : Mon, 28 May 2007 07:52:01GMT
Author : DPA
Category : Asia (World)
Kathmandu- An indefinite curfew was imposed Monday on a refugee camp in eastern Nepal after Bhutanese refugees ran amok, attacking security personnel over the shooting death of a refugee by police, officials and local journalists said. The local administration imposed an indefinite curfew on Beldangi camp in Jhapa district, 400 kilometres east of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, as the situation worsened, with the refugees reportedly opening fire on the police.
"At least half a dozen police officers have been injured in the clashes. Two officers sustained bullet injuries after they were shot by refugees," a regional police official in the town of Birtamod said.
According to local journalists, the situation is fast spiraling out of control.
"The refugees have clashed with police despite the curfew. Groups of refugees have organized themselves, attacking officers, and the situation is out of police control," local journalist Chetan Adhikari told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
Adhikari said police had fired several rounds of teargas and fired live ammunition into the air to disperse the rioting mob.
The tensions rose on Sunday after the police, trying to control fighting between opposing refugee groups, shot dead a 16-year-old refugee when the mob turned on the officers.
The two groups reportedly clashed over accusations by one of the group members that "certain refugees" were carrying weapons and intimidating people favouring third-country resettlement.
One group, which insists repatriation to Bhutan as the only viable solution to the 16-year-old crisis, also set fire to camp management offices Sunday evening.
Earlier this month the New York based rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said tensions were building in refugee camps in eastern Nepal over the United States' decision to resettle as many as 60,000 refugees.
HRW said refugees in favour of resettlement in the United States were being threatened with violence by those who saw repatriation back to Bhutan as the only solution.
According to the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR, there are just over 104,000 Bhutanese refugees, mostly ethnic Nepalese, living in seven UN-run camps in eastern Nepal. The refugees began arriving in Nepal in the early 1990s during alleged acts of persecution by the Bhutanese government based on cultural, lingual and religious differences.
Some other countries including Norway and Canada have also said they will resettle refugees but have not made public the numbers they are willing to take in.
KATHMANDU, May 28 (Xinhua) -- The government of Nepal's Jhapa District Monday issued a curfew order in the refugee camp in Beldangi as tensions soared, the local leading media group's website THT Online reported.
The situation on Monday worsened at the Bhutanese refugee camp in Beldangi, some 310 km east of the capital Kathmandu, following the death of a refugee in a clash with Nepali armed police force on Sunday.
In Monday morning, at least six persons including two policemen were injured as clashes continued between the refugees and the police.
The district administration office imposed a curfew in the Beldangi area from 11:45 a.m. (0600 GMT).
Protesting refugees defied the curfew order and continued demonstrations. Police and refugees exchanged stones, and police rained lathis to control the irate refugees.
Nara Pati Dhungel, 17, was killed Sunday when police opened fire after refugees attacked a police team that had gone to the camp after receiving information that refugees were engaged in a fight.
The fight between two groups of refugees, one in favor of the third country resettlement and another for repatriation, broke out following a dispute with Hari Bagale Adhikari, secretary of the camp.
Meanwhile, India sealed its border with Jhapa to foil the refugees' plan for a return to Bhutan Monday.
With the objective of realizing their wish of repatriation, 15,000 out of 106,000 Bhutanese refugees of all the seven camps in Nepal are planning to head towards Bhutan by crossing the Mechi bridge into India.
The march is called on by the National Front for Democracy (NFD-Bhutan). The NFD-Bhutan has already appealed to the Indian government to allow them to walk through India into Bhutan. In the past, Indian security forces always stopped the refugees from crossing into India.
Editor: Xiao Jie
Other source says
Curfew clamped on Bhutanese refugee camp as tension escalates
Posted : Mon, 28 May 2007 07:52:01GMT
Author : DPA
Category : Asia (World)
Kathmandu- An indefinite curfew was imposed Monday on a refugee camp in eastern Nepal after Bhutanese refugees ran amok, attacking security personnel over the shooting death of a refugee by police, officials and local journalists said. The local administration imposed an indefinite curfew on Beldangi camp in Jhapa district, 400 kilometres east of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, as the situation worsened, with the refugees reportedly opening fire on the police.
"At least half a dozen police officers have been injured in the clashes. Two officers sustained bullet injuries after they were shot by refugees," a regional police official in the town of Birtamod said.
According to local journalists, the situation is fast spiraling out of control.
"The refugees have clashed with police despite the curfew. Groups of refugees have organized themselves, attacking officers, and the situation is out of police control," local journalist Chetan Adhikari told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
Adhikari said police had fired several rounds of teargas and fired live ammunition into the air to disperse the rioting mob.
The tensions rose on Sunday after the police, trying to control fighting between opposing refugee groups, shot dead a 16-year-old refugee when the mob turned on the officers.
The two groups reportedly clashed over accusations by one of the group members that "certain refugees" were carrying weapons and intimidating people favouring third-country resettlement.
One group, which insists repatriation to Bhutan as the only viable solution to the 16-year-old crisis, also set fire to camp management offices Sunday evening.
Earlier this month the New York based rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said tensions were building in refugee camps in eastern Nepal over the United States' decision to resettle as many as 60,000 refugees.
HRW said refugees in favour of resettlement in the United States were being threatened with violence by those who saw repatriation back to Bhutan as the only solution.
According to the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR, there are just over 104,000 Bhutanese refugees, mostly ethnic Nepalese, living in seven UN-run camps in eastern Nepal. The refugees began arriving in Nepal in the early 1990s during alleged acts of persecution by the Bhutanese government based on cultural, lingual and religious differences.
Some other countries including Norway and Canada have also said they will resettle refugees but have not made public the numbers they are willing to take in.
Government arrests
Monday, May 28,2007
THIMPHU: Lately received news reveals that some six Bhutanese of Nepalese origin have been arrested in Bhutan. This arrest of six Bhutanese citizens has come at a time when the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) António Guterres was already in Bhutan to talk with the authorities there over the repatriation of the Bhutanese refugees languishing in Nepali camps since sixteen years.
The Telegraphnepal.com sources say that those who were arrested are, Sri Ram Chetri, Ratan Magar, Jeet Bahadur Ghaley, Nima Tamang and Prahlad Chetrri.
The campaign for such an arrest was conducted by the Bhutanese police at the wee hours, last Friday.
The whereabouts of all the arrested ones are still unknown, reports say.
Fearing from the eventuality that some belonging to the Southern Bhutan might speak against the discrimination meted out to them by the current Bhutani regime to the visiting UNHCR Chief Antonio Guterras, the Bhutanese police preferred to arrest them in advance.
How the international community including the UNHCR takes the fresh arrests is yet to be known. May 27, 2007
TELEGRAPH |
THIMPHU: Lately received news reveals that some six Bhutanese of Nepalese origin have been arrested in Bhutan. This arrest of six Bhutanese citizens has come at a time when the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) António Guterres was already in Bhutan to talk with the authorities there over the repatriation of the Bhutanese refugees languishing in Nepali camps since sixteen years.
The Telegraphnepal.com sources say that those who were arrested are, Sri Ram Chetri, Ratan Magar, Jeet Bahadur Ghaley, Nima Tamang and Prahlad Chetrri.
The campaign for such an arrest was conducted by the Bhutanese police at the wee hours, last Friday.
The whereabouts of all the arrested ones are still unknown, reports say.
Fearing from the eventuality that some belonging to the Southern Bhutan might speak against the discrimination meted out to them by the current Bhutani regime to the visiting UNHCR Chief Antonio Guterras, the Bhutanese police preferred to arrest them in advance.
How the international community including the UNHCR takes the fresh arrests is yet to be known. May 27, 2007
TELEGRAPH |
Bhutanese Refugees In Nepal Deserve Options
Sunday, 27 May 2007, 4:54 pm
Press Release: United Nations
UN Official Says Bhutanese Refugees In Nepal Deserve Options
Bhutanese refugees who have been living in Nepal for some 16 years should have the freedom to make informed decisions about their future, a visiting United Nations official has said.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) António Guterres told residents at Goldhap camp on Wednesday that there was more than one solution to the plight of over 100,000 Bhutanese who have been living in eastern Nepal for the last 16 years.
The High Commissioner outlined the options during his first official visit to Nepal to focus on current efforts to alleviate the long-standing situation of some 107,000 refugees who have been living in seven camps since the early 1990s.
Mr. Guterres said the agency is "very encouraged by recent interest in resettling some of the refugees," referring to an offer by the United States to accept some 60,000 of the Bhutanese in Nepal. Other countries that have expressed similar interest, UNHCR said.
At the same time, he voiced hope that refugees who wish to return to Bhutan would be able to return home. "Despite 16 years with little success, we will continue to knock on Bhutan's door to seek a solution for those who want to go back."
Mr. Guterres stressed that everyone must have the freedom to make his or her own informed decision. "The option of resettlement or voluntary repatriation is for them to choose and decide," he said, adding that UNHCR's job "is to open as many doors as possible so that they can leave the long years of exile behind them and start a new life as soon as possible."
The UN refugee agency has started a mass information campaign to sensitize refugees in all seven camps on resettlement procedures and their individual right to decide for or against it.
In the capital, Kathmandu, Mr. Guterres met with Nepal's Prime Minister Giriji Prasad Koirala and other senior officials to thank the country for its "very constructive and positive approach" to finding solutions for the refugees befo
residents in Nepal.
Myanmar refugees from Thai camp are being resettled, UN refugee agency says
The second phase of a large-scale resettlement of ethnic Karen refugees from Myanmar has begun with a group of more than 30 leaving a camp in northern Thailand to start a new life in the United States, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said today.
"These refugees who fled fighting in eastern Myanmar have little realistic prospect of going home and they have been leading a very restricted life in the camp for more than a decade," said the UNHCR Representative in Thailand, Hasim Utkan, who was at the camp send-off. "So, while it's hard for them to leave a country just across the border from their homeland, they are excited about a new future in the US."
Between May 16 and the first week of July, 404 refugees are scheduled to depart for the US, with an overall planning figure of nearly 10,000 refugees from Thailand to depart to America by September 30 this year.
"The scale of the resettlement operation is really quite amazing," said Mr. Utkan. "This is something which has rarely been offered in a refugee situation."
Nine Thai government-run refugee camps strung along the border with Myanmar shelter a total of 140,000 refugees.
ENDS
Press Release: United Nations
UN Official Says Bhutanese Refugees In Nepal Deserve Options
Bhutanese refugees who have been living in Nepal for some 16 years should have the freedom to make informed decisions about their future, a visiting United Nations official has said.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) António Guterres told residents at Goldhap camp on Wednesday that there was more than one solution to the plight of over 100,000 Bhutanese who have been living in eastern Nepal for the last 16 years.
The High Commissioner outlined the options during his first official visit to Nepal to focus on current efforts to alleviate the long-standing situation of some 107,000 refugees who have been living in seven camps since the early 1990s.
Mr. Guterres said the agency is "very encouraged by recent interest in resettling some of the refugees," referring to an offer by the United States to accept some 60,000 of the Bhutanese in Nepal. Other countries that have expressed similar interest, UNHCR said.
At the same time, he voiced hope that refugees who wish to return to Bhutan would be able to return home. "Despite 16 years with little success, we will continue to knock on Bhutan's door to seek a solution for those who want to go back."
Mr. Guterres stressed that everyone must have the freedom to make his or her own informed decision. "The option of resettlement or voluntary repatriation is for them to choose and decide," he said, adding that UNHCR's job "is to open as many doors as possible so that they can leave the long years of exile behind them and start a new life as soon as possible."
The UN refugee agency has started a mass information campaign to sensitize refugees in all seven camps on resettlement procedures and their individual right to decide for or against it.
In the capital, Kathmandu, Mr. Guterres met with Nepal's Prime Minister Giriji Prasad Koirala and other senior officials to thank the country for its "very constructive and positive approach" to finding solutions for the refugees befo
residents in Nepal.
Myanmar refugees from Thai camp are being resettled, UN refugee agency says
The second phase of a large-scale resettlement of ethnic Karen refugees from Myanmar has begun with a group of more than 30 leaving a camp in northern Thailand to start a new life in the United States, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said today.
"These refugees who fled fighting in eastern Myanmar have little realistic prospect of going home and they have been leading a very restricted life in the camp for more than a decade," said the UNHCR Representative in Thailand, Hasim Utkan, who was at the camp send-off. "So, while it's hard for them to leave a country just across the border from their homeland, they are excited about a new future in the US."
Between May 16 and the first week of July, 404 refugees are scheduled to depart for the US, with an overall planning figure of nearly 10,000 refugees from Thailand to depart to America by September 30 this year.
"The scale of the resettlement operation is really quite amazing," said Mr. Utkan. "This is something which has rarely been offered in a refugee situation."
Nine Thai government-run refugee camps strung along the border with Myanmar shelter a total of 140,000 refugees.
ENDS
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Interview in FM claims a life: camp tense
Secy interview sparks tense: one dies, dozens injured [2007-05-27]
Beldangi, May 27: At least one died and some dozens sustained injuries at police firing in Beldangi camp on Sunday. The dead has been identified as Narapati Dhunel, 14, of Beldangi-II camp, Sector G/3-38.
The situation became tensed after an unidentified group physically attacked Hari Adhikari Bangale, camp secretary of the same camp accusing him of speaking against the sentiments of youths in camps from Pathivara FM on Saturday. The group also assulted another Hari Adhikari of Beldangi-II extension.
Bangale is reported to have sustained injuries in head and ears.
Those who sustained serious injuries from the firing include Gyan Kumar Rai, 36, of Beldangi-II extension, Toya Nath Khatiwada of Beldangi-II, D/4-85, Dhan Bahadur Rai and Lok Nath Adhikari of Beldangi-I, D/2-118.
Some 24 including four security personnel have also sustained injuries. The condition of those injured is not yet known since ambulance hasn’t reached the site.
Eyewitnesses have claimed that Bangale physically assaulted Bishnu Maya Karki of Beldangi-II, D/3-24 when she inquired him about the contents of his interview with Pathivara FM. The source further quoted Bangale as having said that every youth in camps posses a weapon.
It is learnt that Karki hasn’t yet recovered her consciousness.
Meanwhile, the aggressive mass chanting slogans against Bangale’s interview, later set fire at the Camp Management Committee (CMC) office. The fire has completely destroyed the CMC office since agitators blocked fire brigade from reaching the site.
Some thousands of agitators marching towards security base camp, situated near the camp, along with the dead body burnt effigy of Bangale.
Bangale, also the Executive Director of Bhutanese Durable Solution Coordinating Committee (BRDSCC), is well known as one of the active advocators of the US offer of third country resettlement.
Meanwhile, Setu Nepal, the Director of Kathmandu-based sub-committee of the BRDSCC termed the incident as being ‘pre-planned’. “The remote of this incident is in Kathmandu”, Nepal claimed.
Source from Damak police station informed the BNS over telephone that there are possibilities to clamp curfew if the tensed situation continues. Bhutan News Service/Jeetan Subba and Puspa Adhikari
Beldangi, May 27: At least one died and some dozens sustained injuries at police firing in Beldangi camp on Sunday. The dead has been identified as Narapati Dhunel, 14, of Beldangi-II camp, Sector G/3-38.
The situation became tensed after an unidentified group physically attacked Hari Adhikari Bangale, camp secretary of the same camp accusing him of speaking against the sentiments of youths in camps from Pathivara FM on Saturday. The group also assulted another Hari Adhikari of Beldangi-II extension.
Bangale is reported to have sustained injuries in head and ears.
Those who sustained serious injuries from the firing include Gyan Kumar Rai, 36, of Beldangi-II extension, Toya Nath Khatiwada of Beldangi-II, D/4-85, Dhan Bahadur Rai and Lok Nath Adhikari of Beldangi-I, D/2-118.
Some 24 including four security personnel have also sustained injuries. The condition of those injured is not yet known since ambulance hasn’t reached the site.
Eyewitnesses have claimed that Bangale physically assaulted Bishnu Maya Karki of Beldangi-II, D/3-24 when she inquired him about the contents of his interview with Pathivara FM. The source further quoted Bangale as having said that every youth in camps posses a weapon.
It is learnt that Karki hasn’t yet recovered her consciousness.
Meanwhile, the aggressive mass chanting slogans against Bangale’s interview, later set fire at the Camp Management Committee (CMC) office. The fire has completely destroyed the CMC office since agitators blocked fire brigade from reaching the site.
Some thousands of agitators marching towards security base camp, situated near the camp, along with the dead body burnt effigy of Bangale.
Bangale, also the Executive Director of Bhutanese Durable Solution Coordinating Committee (BRDSCC), is well known as one of the active advocators of the US offer of third country resettlement.
Meanwhile, Setu Nepal, the Director of Kathmandu-based sub-committee of the BRDSCC termed the incident as being ‘pre-planned’. “The remote of this incident is in Kathmandu”, Nepal claimed.
Source from Damak police station informed the BNS over telephone that there are possibilities to clamp curfew if the tensed situation continues. Bhutan News Service/Jeetan Subba and Puspa Adhikari
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