Agencies Condemn Attack, Warn to Quit Support
The Bhutan Reporter
Kathmandu, July 1
Citing continued intimidation and attacks on International Organization of Migration (IOM), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) including the IOM have warned of consequences on all programs delivery for refugee operation - not just the resettlement component.
Terming the incident as an ‘act of senseless violence’, the agencies in a joint press statement, denounced the bomb attack at the Damak-based IOM office premises on June 30 night.
“The IOM, UNHCR and WFP are shocked and outraged by this senseless attack which is aimed at undermining the humanitarian efforts by the UN agencies and the international community to aid refugees from Bhutan who have been through decades of suffering in camps in eastern Nepal”, reads the statement, adding- “The agencies strongly urge all concerned parties to immediately stop such cowardly attacks. It is the free choice of each refugee and his/her family whether they would like to be considered for resettlement to third countries. Neither the individuals opting for resettlement nor the agencies facilitating this process should be intimidated or threatened”
The office of Damak-based IOM was exploded on June 30 night at 8 pm local time. The three explosions caused minor damage to the office building and no human casualty was reported.
Earlier, unidentified group had vandalized the IOM bus ferrying exiled Bhutanese on May 5 near the Khudunabari in Jhapa district, and on May 21 near Morang-based Sanischare camp.
Two Groups Own Responsibility
Jwala Singh-led armed rebellion group in eastern belt of Nepal, Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM-J) claimed responsibility terming the incident a ‘mistake’ by the party cadres. Local media in Jhapa had quoted the leader of the group saying his party had targeted the telephone towers and other infrastructure in Damak to press Nepalese government towards their demands.
Meanwhile, a never-known-before armed group identifying itself as ‘Refugee Liberation Army’ also owned-up responsibility to the explosion. A press statement issued by the Army coordinator Raj Kumar, said their underground attempt to disrupt the resettlement would continue. Refuting the claim of JTMM over having its hands in explosion, the Liberation Army also owned-up responsibility to the attacks on IOM bus earlier.
Core-group urged for repatriation
Bhutan News Service
Damak, June 27
Human Rights Organization of Bhutan (HUROB) has urged the United States of America and members of core-group formed to resettle interested Bhutanese to expedite the process of repatriation of exiled Bhutanese.
The HUROB petition sent to the US Ambassador to Nepal, Nancy J. Powell reads, "The lackadaisical stand of the core countries for Bhutanese refugees on repatriation has disappointed especially the youths and they have now resorted to violent activities in the camps and as well as inside Bhutan", adding "It is feared that any effort to try to suppress by using security force in both the place is more detrimental in existing peace and may escalate violence".
The rights organization has asked to create excessive pressure on Bhutanese regime to start the repatriation of exiled Bhutanese.
NA topples NC decision
Bhutan News Service
Thimphu, July 04
In what appears contradict to the decision of the upper house National Council, the National Assembly decides allowing the government sanction funds to two political parties in the parliament.
The National Assembly comprise of the two parties, both of whom sought fund to pay back their debts incurred during the polls campaign.
The assembly decided separate clause for this will be inserted in the Public Election Fund Bill and the Election Bill, though the constitution hasn’t been amended to include this provision.
The proposal was tabled at the assembly sitting by a minister. The government proposal also stated that funds will be sanction to the parties having secured top two positions in three primary rounds.
The government minister said funding political parties was important to establish a strong democracy. The party leaders in the parliament were of the opinion that funding to political parties is not against the constitution since there are no constitutional provisions mentioning state must not fund the parties.
Opposition party PDP suggested for increasing the Public Election Fund through the contribution from nationals and foreigners to be distributed to political parties.
It is yet to see, if the upper house approves the NA decision. If it didn’t, the issue will be decided through joint voting of the two houses where at least two-third members need to vote in its favor.
No campaign during local elections
Bhutan News Service
Thimphu, July
Those contesting for local government elections will not be allowed for campaigning even if they generate funds themselves, the National Assembly decided on grounds of possible corruption the fund provided.
The government will also not provide fund for the campaign, restricting them from seeking votes from people.
This will restrict them from telling people what he or she proposes development projects in the country. The candidates should also be non-partisan.
The National Assembly saw heated debate on whether candidates to local government elections should be allowed to campaign.
However, the mini-opposition party in the parliament argued in favor of the local leaders that they should be allowed for campaign like the candidates for National Assembly and National Council did with government providing fund.
Local government elections are scheduled at the end of this year.
Husband turns 'bachelor' for resettlement
By Arjun Pradhan
For Raju Dahal, year 2000 was enduring. On January 27, Raju from Goldhap camp had a typical marriage ceremony with Krishna Maya Adhikari from Beldangi-I. A great Hindu culture to join two hearts of opposite sex, the event was performed in an extra-ordinary way with all processing during and after marriage.
Raju, 30, of sector C-4/ 37 had decided to knot an eternal tie with Krishna, 30, of Beldangi-I sector C-1/52 and the event remains spanking new to the society, friends and relatives who joined the function.
“When he never returned to take me to my new home, I had to wait till day”, lamented Adhikari with tears trickling down her checks. She said her husband, who promised to visit her family a week after their marriage, went missing and his whereabouts was never known.
“Difficult to narrate the despair, I don’t have enough memory how I spent eight years without my husband”, cried Krishna Maya who just dragged her husband to camp management committee of Beldangi-I when she found that Raju was waiting to get Exit Permit (EP) from government of Nepal for his relocation in the United States of America.
Reality
Raju right after his marriage went to Sikkim, India and started working as an assistant teacher in a private school. Raju, who presented himself to be too innocent, slowly started neglecting the relationship with Krishna Maya.
The initial days were little odd. But, he changed his mind and developed boldness to avoid Krishna Maya and tried to remain away from his another half, who has been eagerly waiting for the reunion.
When Nepal formally announced exiled Bhutanese to declare interest for third country resettlement, he came to Nepal and applied for it. With several screenings and interviews, he was in the process to obtain EP as ‘bachelor’. He was extremely nervous when Krishna Maya found that he cheated her badly.
Reunion by IOM and UNHCR
On June 28, camp management committee and family of Krishna Maya pulled Raju for further investigation. In presence of several Bhutanese who attended his marriage function, he admitted that has been processing as ‘bachelor’.
“I’ll take my wife with me”, told Raju who acted sternly to leave his wife unaccompanied in her ramshackle hut.
The camp administration decided to file a complaint against Raju to International Organization for Migration and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees urging them to halt the process.
“Since Krishna Maya has a dream to be relocated with Raju, she must not be denied the justice”, said a camp representative. “It is a serious case and major precautions should be taken in future”, he added.
Raju promised the gathering that he would come after 15 days to take Krishna Maya to his hut in Goldhap before they relocate to the States.
The Bhutan Reporter
Kathmandu, July 1
Citing continued intimidation and attacks on International Organization of Migration (IOM), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) including the IOM have warned of consequences on all programs delivery for refugee operation - not just the resettlement component.
Terming the incident as an ‘act of senseless violence’, the agencies in a joint press statement, denounced the bomb attack at the Damak-based IOM office premises on June 30 night.
“The IOM, UNHCR and WFP are shocked and outraged by this senseless attack which is aimed at undermining the humanitarian efforts by the UN agencies and the international community to aid refugees from Bhutan who have been through decades of suffering in camps in eastern Nepal”, reads the statement, adding- “The agencies strongly urge all concerned parties to immediately stop such cowardly attacks. It is the free choice of each refugee and his/her family whether they would like to be considered for resettlement to third countries. Neither the individuals opting for resettlement nor the agencies facilitating this process should be intimidated or threatened”
The office of Damak-based IOM was exploded on June 30 night at 8 pm local time. The three explosions caused minor damage to the office building and no human casualty was reported.
Earlier, unidentified group had vandalized the IOM bus ferrying exiled Bhutanese on May 5 near the Khudunabari in Jhapa district, and on May 21 near Morang-based Sanischare camp.
Two Groups Own Responsibility
Jwala Singh-led armed rebellion group in eastern belt of Nepal, Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM-J) claimed responsibility terming the incident a ‘mistake’ by the party cadres. Local media in Jhapa had quoted the leader of the group saying his party had targeted the telephone towers and other infrastructure in Damak to press Nepalese government towards their demands.
Meanwhile, a never-known-before armed group identifying itself as ‘Refugee Liberation Army’ also owned-up responsibility to the explosion. A press statement issued by the Army coordinator Raj Kumar, said their underground attempt to disrupt the resettlement would continue. Refuting the claim of JTMM over having its hands in explosion, the Liberation Army also owned-up responsibility to the attacks on IOM bus earlier.
Core-group urged for repatriation
Bhutan News Service
Damak, June 27
Human Rights Organization of Bhutan (HUROB) has urged the United States of America and members of core-group formed to resettle interested Bhutanese to expedite the process of repatriation of exiled Bhutanese.
The HUROB petition sent to the US Ambassador to Nepal, Nancy J. Powell reads, "The lackadaisical stand of the core countries for Bhutanese refugees on repatriation has disappointed especially the youths and they have now resorted to violent activities in the camps and as well as inside Bhutan", adding "It is feared that any effort to try to suppress by using security force in both the place is more detrimental in existing peace and may escalate violence".
The rights organization has asked to create excessive pressure on Bhutanese regime to start the repatriation of exiled Bhutanese.
NA topples NC decision
Bhutan News Service
Thimphu, July 04
In what appears contradict to the decision of the upper house National Council, the National Assembly decides allowing the government sanction funds to two political parties in the parliament.
The National Assembly comprise of the two parties, both of whom sought fund to pay back their debts incurred during the polls campaign.
The assembly decided separate clause for this will be inserted in the Public Election Fund Bill and the Election Bill, though the constitution hasn’t been amended to include this provision.
The proposal was tabled at the assembly sitting by a minister. The government proposal also stated that funds will be sanction to the parties having secured top two positions in three primary rounds.
The government minister said funding political parties was important to establish a strong democracy. The party leaders in the parliament were of the opinion that funding to political parties is not against the constitution since there are no constitutional provisions mentioning state must not fund the parties.
Opposition party PDP suggested for increasing the Public Election Fund through the contribution from nationals and foreigners to be distributed to political parties.
It is yet to see, if the upper house approves the NA decision. If it didn’t, the issue will be decided through joint voting of the two houses where at least two-third members need to vote in its favor.
No campaign during local elections
Bhutan News Service
Thimphu, July
Those contesting for local government elections will not be allowed for campaigning even if they generate funds themselves, the National Assembly decided on grounds of possible corruption the fund provided.
The government will also not provide fund for the campaign, restricting them from seeking votes from people.
This will restrict them from telling people what he or she proposes development projects in the country. The candidates should also be non-partisan.
The National Assembly saw heated debate on whether candidates to local government elections should be allowed to campaign.
However, the mini-opposition party in the parliament argued in favor of the local leaders that they should be allowed for campaign like the candidates for National Assembly and National Council did with government providing fund.
Local government elections are scheduled at the end of this year.
Husband turns 'bachelor' for resettlement
By Arjun Pradhan
For Raju Dahal, year 2000 was enduring. On January 27, Raju from Goldhap camp had a typical marriage ceremony with Krishna Maya Adhikari from Beldangi-I. A great Hindu culture to join two hearts of opposite sex, the event was performed in an extra-ordinary way with all processing during and after marriage.
Raju, 30, of sector C-4/ 37 had decided to knot an eternal tie with Krishna, 30, of Beldangi-I sector C-1/52 and the event remains spanking new to the society, friends and relatives who joined the function.
“When he never returned to take me to my new home, I had to wait till day”, lamented Adhikari with tears trickling down her checks. She said her husband, who promised to visit her family a week after their marriage, went missing and his whereabouts was never known.
“Difficult to narrate the despair, I don’t have enough memory how I spent eight years without my husband”, cried Krishna Maya who just dragged her husband to camp management committee of Beldangi-I when she found that Raju was waiting to get Exit Permit (EP) from government of Nepal for his relocation in the United States of America.
Reality
Raju right after his marriage went to Sikkim, India and started working as an assistant teacher in a private school. Raju, who presented himself to be too innocent, slowly started neglecting the relationship with Krishna Maya.
The initial days were little odd. But, he changed his mind and developed boldness to avoid Krishna Maya and tried to remain away from his another half, who has been eagerly waiting for the reunion.
When Nepal formally announced exiled Bhutanese to declare interest for third country resettlement, he came to Nepal and applied for it. With several screenings and interviews, he was in the process to obtain EP as ‘bachelor’. He was extremely nervous when Krishna Maya found that he cheated her badly.
Reunion by IOM and UNHCR
On June 28, camp management committee and family of Krishna Maya pulled Raju for further investigation. In presence of several Bhutanese who attended his marriage function, he admitted that has been processing as ‘bachelor’.
“I’ll take my wife with me”, told Raju who acted sternly to leave his wife unaccompanied in her ramshackle hut.
The camp administration decided to file a complaint against Raju to International Organization for Migration and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees urging them to halt the process.
“Since Krishna Maya has a dream to be relocated with Raju, she must not be denied the justice”, said a camp representative. “It is a serious case and major precautions should be taken in future”, he added.
Raju promised the gathering that he would come after 15 days to take Krishna Maya to his hut in Goldhap before they relocate to the States.
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