Bhutanese refugees appeal to Indian PM

Two Bhutanese refugee groups have sent memos to Indian Prime Minister Dr Man Mohan Singh seeking Indian support to solve the two-decade long refugee crisis.

The appeals – by National Front for Democracy and Human Rights Organisation of Bhutan – were sent to Dr Singh, ahead of his visit to Thimphu.

Dr Singh reached Thimphu on Friday for a two-day visit to the Himalayan kingdom that held its first democratic elections in March. Bhutanese government media said Dr Singh will address the joint sitting of the Bhutanese parliament Saturday.

"Over 108,000 Bhutanese, after being victimised by Bhutan's ultra-nationalist policy, have been forced to live as refugees," the NFD memorandum said.

"The drama of democracy being staged recently has not only failed to address the sentiments of those exiled, but also of those living inside the country." "We request consideration of the genesis of armed struggle by refugee youths, after being pessimistic due to the infernal refugee life for over one-and-half decade," read the HUROB letter sent to Dr Singh.

The organisations also expected the visit to be crucial for refugee repatriation and India's role in the process.

Chairman of Druk National Congress Rong Thong Kinley Dorji, who lives in New Delhi, had already submitted such memorandum to Singh expressing hope that the visit would be important for establishing real democracy and begin repatriation of Bhutanese refugees who are languishing in various camps in eastern Nepal and India. nepalnews.com ia May 16 08