39 refugees likely to fly to US by January

Source: The Himalayan Times

The International Organisation of Migration (IOM) today has taken 39 Bhutanese refugees to Kathmandu, citing security reason. The refugees of Beldangi Camp are expected to fly to the US within the first week of January.

Earlier, they have been provided special security after an unknown group shot at Arjun Subba two weeks ago in Sangam Chock and their huts were destroyed. 10 family members of Chhabilal Thapa, 11 of Arjun Subba, and 13 of DB Moktan of the camp and five of Dilliram Gautam of Morang’s Shanischare camp have been taken to Kathmandu.

In a bid to resettle Bhutanese refugees in America, the IOM said it had interviewed refugees of the camps and resettlement processing of over 3,000 refugees is going on. Some other refugees have been submitting their applications for resettlement in America.

Refugees of pro-America resettlement plan have said some 72,000 refugees of Jhapa and Morang have applied for resettlement in America. Meanwhile, Bhu-tanese CPN-Maoist has been forcing refugees to reject the resettlement offer in the US, threatening of giving physical action against those who support opt the resettlement offer.

Bhutan party admits shooting of refugee

Source: The Rising Nepal

The Bhutanese Communist Party (Maoist) has taken responsibility of shooting Arjun Subba, a refugee at Beldangi I camp. The Bhutanese Maoist party chairman Surya in a statement Friday said Subba was shot as per the plan of the party.

He said the resettlement in America was a plan to obstruct the repatriation of the Bhutanese to their homeland. "This action (shooting) was carried to foil the resettlement," the statement said.

"Anyone supporting and advocating for the third country resettlement would face similar consequence, the statement read.

Subba was shot at Sangam Chowk of Damak December 13. Two others CL Thapa and DB Moktan who was with Subba had escaped the shooting. All three of them are supporters of resettlement in the United States. Subba is undergoing treatment at Lifeline hospital, Damak.

Police have arrested three persons on charge of shooting. After the incident most of the Maoist leaders and their supporters have left the camps.

Communist Party of Bhutan (MLM) denies shooting

Source: Apfanews.com

Kathmandu, December 14: The Communist Party of Bhutan (MLM) has denied the charge that it shot Arun Subba of Beldani-I quoted Nepalese daily The Himalayan Times.

Subba over a telephone interview with Saranarthi Sarokar from hospital bed has claimed the involvement of CPB (MLM) in shooting. “The incident was the result of the warning that we received in last pamphlet” he told.

His condition is out of risk. Security chief of UNHCR, representatives of aid agencies and chief district officer, Jhapa have visited the LifeLine Hospital to inquire the condition of Subba.

The daily quoted that in a press statement today, in-charge of the party’s rehabilitation coordination committee Muna refuted the charge levelled against the party.

The release said that the incident was the “extreme injustice meted out by the Nepal government and UNHCR on the refugees.” The release alleged that the UNHCR was responsible for the worsening situation in the refugee camp. Regretting the shooting incident, Muna said the party was formed to wage a struggle in Bhutan.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in all three camps in Beldangi.

Pamphlets, claimed to be posted by the Communists Party of Bhutan (CPB-MLM)-affiliated All Bhutan Revolutionary Students Union and Bhutan Republican Youths Organisation in Beldangi-I camp in Novermber 'blacklisted' at least 12 individuals and carried warning to take people's action against them. Subba was one in the list.

The pamphlet had also issued ultimatum that the accused ones should either leave camps within 15 days or apologies before CPB-MLM.

Bhutanese refugee shot

Source: Kantiopuronline.com

DAMAK, Dec 13 - Unidentified individuals shot and injured a Bhutanese refugee in Damak Thursday. Arjun Subba, 31, of Hut no. 71 in sector D of Beldangi camp-1 sustained injuries to the stomach and right hand. He was rushed to Life Life Hospital in Damak, where doctors said he was out of danger.

According to area police office Damak, Subba was shot at Hawaldar Chowk some two kilometers from the refugee camp. According to Chabilal Thapa, another refugee, who witnessed

the shooting, two motorcyclists stalking Subba fired at him.

Thapa added that a woman shot at Subba from the motorbike which had no number plate.

Two of the shots misfired and Subba was injured by the third shot. Members of the Bhutanese Maoist party had spread pamphlets in the camp during Tihar festival, threatening to kill Subba and many other refugees for failing to vacate the camp within 15 days.