Indian security forces once again barred Bhutanese refugees from entering India at the Mechi Bridge on their way to Bhutan.
Some Bhutanese refugees on their way to forward a petition to draw the attention of the Bhutanese King, Jigme Singe Wanchuk, towards their plight, were forced to return by Indian security personnel deployed at Indo-Nepal border on Saturday, reports said.
In the confrontation that followed between the refugees and the security personnel, nine refugees were injured, the report said.
Earlier, marking the 98th National Day of Bhutan, more than 150 Bhutanese refugees along with a request letter and pamphlets had gathered at the Mechi Bridge in the afternoon.
While heading towards the border, they were stopped by Indian policemen, resulting in the confrontation between the two sides. The injured refugees are undergoing treatment at the Kakadbhita-based health post.
Meanwhile, Indian police arrested Dr DNS Dhakal who was leading the refugees of all the seven camps from the Mechi Bridge. However, he was released later.
People from both sides reportedly threw stones and bricks. The Indo-Nepal border was sealed by 5 p.m.
Former Indian Minister Malwich Sharma, experts Lal Birendra Sharma, BK Malwich and chairperson of Gandhi Peace Foundation Ramesh Sharma addressed the protest program of the Bhutanese refugees at the Mechi bridge.
This is the sixth time Indian police barred Bhutanese refugees from entering Bhutan. Earlier, Indian police on December 10 turned back nearly 300 Bhutanese refugees who were heading towards their homeland from the Mechi Bridge at the border.
Nearly 105,000 Bhutanese refugees are languishing in seven refugee camps in eastern Nepal, since the last 15 years after being evicted from Bhutan.