Bhutanese refugees announce voluntary repatriation drive

October 3, 2005
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Bhutanese refugees languishing in seven camps of Jhapa and Morang districts, eastern Nepal, have declared self-repatriation movement under the leadership of Bhutanese human rights leader Tek Nath Rizal.

This was announced by the representatives of all seven refugee camps at a program organised to mark the 137th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in Jhapa on Sunday, reports today said.

Refugee leaders said hundreds of refugees above the age of 50 will participate in the self-repatriation movement.

Speaking at the program, refugee leader Ram Chandra Sigdel said that since there was no alternative than self-repatriation, senior refugees were going to launch the campaign.

“We have declared our movement on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. This peaceful movement being initiated by our elders will reach its destination.”

Refugees attending the program said Rizal’s leadership for the cause was indisputable. Rizal who had arrived in Jhapa last week had made clear that he was prepared to lead the self-repatriation campaign.

Speaking at the program, secretary of Timai Refugee Camp, Raj Man Gurung, said the announcement by the elderly refugees was a major decision for the refugees’ drive to return to their homeland. He also expressed hope that the Indian government would take this step seriously and in positive light.

Bhutanese right activists, leaders of political parties and intellectuals have expressed solidarity to the movement of the senior refugees, reports said.

Few months earlier, hundreds of refugees trying to voluntarily return to Bhutan were stopped by the Indian security officials at the Nepal-Indian border.

The dates of the voluntary repatriation movement are yet to be decided, reports said.

There are over 100,000 Bhutanese refugees living in eastern Nepal since last 15 years with several rounds of bilateral talks ending in deadlock.