Armed Police Force (APF) personnel stationed for the security of the Bhutanese refugee camp intervened into the indefinite hunger strike being carried out by Bhutanese women Tuesday.

Led by APF Inspector Brijesh Rimal, the police squad seized banners and placards used by the agitating women, a refugee leader said.

"We intervened into the situation following instruction from the district authority of Jhapa," Inspector Rimal told Nepalnews. "However, we have not removed the women from the ground."

A group of exiled Bhutanese women, who have been fighting for refugee status since one year and staged 12-day hunger strike last November, have started another around hunger strike from 10 am today.

The local authority of Jhapa had last November assured those women of resuming registration process within April 20. However, the asylum seekers have accused the authorities of ignoring their demands to give them refugee status. nepalnews.com