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Bhutan News Service

Bhutan News Service

Protestors call back hunger strike as govt assures to address their demands

Posted: 13 Jan 2011 09:31 AM PST

Agitating exiled Bhutanese from Sanischare and Beldangi-II camp, who have been executing hunger strike since Monday demanding refugee status and identity cards, agreed to call back their protest programs as the district authority assured to address their demands within the next 15 days.

Protesters at the strike program . Photo/Lok Mahara

All-party meeting facilitated by the Jhapa Chapter of Nepal Human Rights Commission on Thursday evening decided to immediately address the issue of ration and other aid facilities within two weeks time, rights activist Dr KP Siwakoti, who reached Sanischare camp to discontinue the ongoing hunger strike, informed the camp residents and media persons at 8 pm.

“The Chief District Officer of Jhapa has assured all of us in written that demands of the refugees will be addressed within the next 15 days,” Dr Siwakoti said.

Following the agreement at Pathibhara Battalion of Armed Police Force where representatives from the Bhutanese community, government officials, security chiefs and human rights defenders were present, separate groups of officials including Camp Supervisors from the Refugee Coordination Unit reached Beldangi and Sanischare camp to inform the agitating refugees and served juices to those in the protest.

Earlier today, at least two participants of the ongoing hunger strike from Pathri refugee camp were hospitalized as the protest marked the fourth-day.

Sulochana Tamang, 39, and Dhan Maya Bhusal, 35, were rushed to Damak-based AMDA Hospital this afternoon following their referral from its medical attendants.

"Their health condition has been worsening," Community Health Supervisor, Purba Lama, told Bhutan News Service, "We decided to admit them in the hospital since they have crossed 96 hours without food."

At least 17 asylum seekers, absentees of official registration conducted in 2006 by the UNHCR and the Government of Nepal, and registered exiled Bhutanese but without identity cards or whose rations have been suspended due to various reasons, have been continuing their hunger strike since Monday demanding registration and refugee status.

Meanwhile, when the local authority was not serious in addressing their demands even after four-days of hunger strike in Sanischare, some seven dozens exiled Bhutanese also started hunger strike from this morning in Beldangi-II camp.

The group leading the protest has been claiming that around 3,190 are in need of their refugee status.

With inputs from Lakpa Tamang from Sanischare, Lok Bahadur Mahara and Tulasi Upreti from Beldangi

Bhutanese in Australia donate for Queensland flood victims

Posted: 13 Jan 2011 02:52 AM PST

The Bhutanese Community in Australia Inc. (BCA) in Melbourne collected AU$2006 to contribute to the flood victims in Queensland.

A meeting of the resettled Bhutanese on January 9 decided to collect donations immediately. Accordingly collection in Melbourne was coordinated by Dhan Siwakoti with Dhenu Acharya, Kamal Dhimal, Khina Dhimal and Kahgendra Acharya as members of the team.

The money has been forwarded to the flood victims donation fund through the ANZ bank on Thursday, BCA chairman Parsu Luitel said.

BCA is one of the first refugee communities to support the victims of natural calamities in Australia. It has already donated for Bushfire in Victoria and fire victims in Beldangi refugee camps in Nepal.

Similarly, according to Radha Krishna Guragai, General Secretary of BCA from Albury, Bhutanese in Albury contributed over AU$650 and preparing to send the donation shortly. As per the Durga Guragia, Executive Member of BCA from Wodonga, Bhutanese in Wodonga are planning to contribute through the Wodonga City Council. Some Bhutanese friends from Albury, Wodonga and Melbourne also have donated personally through online and telephone.

The flood donation in Albury was initiated and coordinated by Damber Rai, an active member of BCA.

Bhutanese in Adelaide are also collecting their donations and are expected to send by end next week. Many of them have already donated through several donation schemes individually. According to Sushil Niroula, they have collected around AU$500. Collection drive is underway and anyone willing to donate are welcome, says Niroula.

Read message by BCA regarding donations to the victims here.

Two hunger strikers hospitalized; health of other deteriorates

Posted: 13 Jan 2011 12:04 AM PST

At least two participants of the ongoing hunger strike from Pathri refugee camp of Sanischare of Morang district have been hospitalized today as the protest marks the fourth-day.

Kids display placards at hunger strike program in Sanischare/Lakpa Tamang

Sulochana Tamang, 39, and Dhan Maya Bhusal, 35, were rushed to Damak-based AMDA Hospital this afternoon following their referral from its medical attendants.

“Their health condition has been worsening,” Community Health Supervisor, Purba Lama, told Bhutan News Service, “We decided to admit them in the hospital since they have crossed 96 hours without food.”
At least 17 asylum seekers, absentees of official registration conducted in 2006 by the UNHCR and the Government of Nepal, and registered exiled Bhutanese but without identity cards or whose rations have been suspended due to various reasons, have been continuing their hunger strike since Monday demanding registration and refugee status.
Meanwhile, the local authority has been urging the protestors to call back their strike.

Participants of hunger strike

According to Chairman of the Bhutanese Refugee Representative Repatriation Committee, Dr. Bhampa Rai, the authority has warned that it would apply force to make the strikers withdraw their protest programs.
However, the agitators have said they would not agree to withdraw the strike unless their demands are met.
The group leading the protest has been claiming that around 3,190 are in need of their refugee status.
Reported by Lakpa Tamang for BNS from Sanischare camp