An accord between ministers of Nepal and Bhutan Thursday to categorize Bhutanese refugees into four groups for repatriation after 12 years of miserable camp life in Jhapa and Morang “have and will continue to complicate the whole process of verification and totally undermines the prospect of repatriation,” the refugees said Friday.

The refugees called for categorization of 100,000 persons as Bhutanese or non-Bhutanese only. “The government of Nepal is once again playing, as in the past, to the game plan of the Bhutanese regime in the continued violation of fundamental rights of the displaced Bhutanese citizens,” the Association

of Human Rights Activists Bhutan said in a statement Friday.

Ministers of the two neighbouring countries agreed Thursday to categorize the refugees into four groups at an official meeting in Thimpu on March 8 for repatriation to be followed by another ministerial meeting March 24.

Bhutan claims some of the refugees left the kingdom voluntarily, a claim disputed by the refugees. Bhutan says some of the refugees are criminals who should be repatriated. nepalnews.com br Feb.7

Norway welcomes ceasefire, other details

Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Petersen has welcomed the January 29 ceasefire and the “positive response of His Majesty’s Government of Nepal”, a press release issued by the Norwegian Embassy said Friday.

Petersen hoped the ceasefire between the Maoists and the government will “pave the way to end the seven year insurgency.” Norway, a major aid donor, hoped both sides will keep up the momentum for peace.

A top Norwegian diplomat earlier linked future Norwegian aid to Nepal to the peace process and upholding democracy in Nepal. The diplomat said her country was watching developments in Nepal

closely.

Norway was the first donor to link future aid to the peace process. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Dr. Badri Prasad Shrestha said Friday the declaration of a ceasefire was already showing positive results on the economy.