Indian police still detaining two Bhutanese refugees

Even after agreeing to release all those arrested from Mechi Bridge during the Bhutanese refugees’ ‘Long March’ last week, Indian police are still detaining two refugees.

Chetan Khanal and Dilip Rai, two wounded refugee youths who were apprehended by the Indian security officials from the Mechi Bridge on the Nepal-India border Wednesday, have been detained in Panitanki, the bordering Indian town. The West Bengal police have filed a case accusing them of ‘disrupting’ security, reports said.

The two are undergoing treatment at a hospital under police supervision.

Refugee leaders said the Indian police were keeping them against the understanding reached at a meeting last week with the Nepali side, which comprised of administrative officials and refugee representatives. 14 detained refugees were released following the understanding.

DP Kafle, a refugee leader, said that during negotiation with refugee representatives on Saturday Indian police officials had assured that the charge against the two would be ‘relaxed’ and that they might be released soon. nepalnews.com mk June 03 07

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