Missive to Jigme on refugee repatriation

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, Nov 27 - Bhutanese refugee leader Tek Nath Rizal has sent a letter to Jigme Singye Wangchuk, former king of Bhutan, requesting him to facilitate the early repartition of all Bhutanese refugees languishing in seven camps in eastern Nepal.

In his appeal to Druk monarch Jigme Singye Wangchuk, Rizal said the sufferings of refugees, who have been forced out of their homeland, would always haunt the monarchy of Bhutan.

After the 15th round of talks between Nepal and Bhutan failed to resolve the long-standing problem, Bhutanese refugees were given the option of resettling in eight countries, including the United States.

"We had hoped that you would resolve our problem. But your abrupt abdication has saddened us," the Bhutanese leader said.

He said Bhutan would lose its prestige further if it failed to resolve the refugee imbroglio.

Rizal, who also served as the people's representative of Bhutan and adviser to the royal council, asked the former monarch to review his perception about Bhutanese refugees through study and consultations with experts.

The Bhutanese leader argued that the ruling system adopted in Bhutan cannot be called democracy as it has failed to deliver justice to people. He congratulated the former king for handing over the throne to his son Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk.