Long March Cut Short
India cuts short the "Long March" launched by refugees and pours cold water over the desperate bid to force their way into Bhutan
By SANJAYA DHAKAL
Like some 80 times in the past, the Indian Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB) blocked the entry of Bhutanese refugees into Indian territory on Monday (May 28).
A particularly huge deployment of security forces was put in place by India to thwart the efforts by the refugees to walk through India to their homeland – the same route they had taken when they were evicted from Bhutan one and a half decade ago.
Around 15000 refugees, of the total 106,000, from different camps had gone on a "Long March" to their homeland to join the campaign launched by National Front for Democracy (NFD-Bhutan).
Even though the refugees claimed they had support from Indian civil society and political leaders, they found themselves fighting with the SSB force alone at Mechi bridge. Dozens of them were injured when SSB used force to prevent them from crossing the bridge.
The refugees were, like in the past, compelled to reduce their much-publicized homeward march to a mere sit-in at the bridge.
The March was being launched to coincide with the second stage of mock polls by Bhutan government in what it claims as its efforts to train its citizens about the democratic exercise ahead of its scheduled parliamentary polls in 2008.
The refugees had decided to launch the Long March out of frustration with the lack of progress in the one and a half decade long refugee impasse.
The NFD-Bhutan – which has received backing from other parties of refugees - had appealed to the Indian government to allow them to walk through India into Bhutan.
On the other hand, unrest gripped Beldangi camp of refugees when two refugees died in clash with Armed Police Force on Sunday and Monday.
The clashes occurred after refugees attacked a police team that had gone to the camp after receiving information that refugees were engaged in a fight on Sunday.
Narpati Dhungel, 17, was killed when police opened fire to foil the attack. On Monday, Purna Tamang, 25, also died in the clash. Several others were injured when they tried to disobey the curfew imposed in the camp.
The whole incident occurred after two groups of refugees clashed with each other over the issue of third country resettlement. An interview given by local camp secretary Hari Bagale Adhikari in support of third country resettlement had angered opposing refugees who attacked him and triggered the clash.
In recent months, the unrest in refugee camps have been growing. Recently, a report by US-based rights watchdog Human Rights Watch, too, had pointed out that the offer of third country resettlement had ignited conflict between refugees.
Last week, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres visited Nepal. He also went to Goldhap camp where he said that all options will be kept open to resolve this protracted problem. He stressed that voluntary repatriation is still the most desirable solution.
He met with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and other senior officials before leaving for Thimpu.
In his meeting with Guterres, PM requested him to apply pressure on Bhutanese government to allow safe repatriation of its refugees.
As tensions start brewing and frustrations start creeping in, it is high time Nepal government, UNHCR, international community and refugee leaders gave serious considerations towards the ways of resolving the protracted impasse. The role of India and Bhutan governments must not be undermined if this problem is to be resolved. PM Koirala has already said that he will make a last ditch effort to resolve the issue bilaterally by sending advance team to Thimpu. Bhutan, therefore, needs to demonstrate some amount of flexibility.
