Sit-in kicks start in Beldangi-I

Bhutanese in exile, who are not yet granted ‘refugee status’ by the Government of Nepal and the UN Refugee Agency,  have started sit-in protest on relay basis from Monday.

These non-registered Bhutanese have forwarded their demands that included

Non-registered Bhutanese display various playcards in the protest program, Beldangi-I

immediate registration to provide ‘refugee status’ and supply ration and other facilities to them as enjoyed by their friends and relatives, among others.

Some five dozen Bhutanese including children, women and youths  started relay hunger strike in Beldangi-I camp from today.

We want to get our status, said Nandu Poudel of the joint struggle committee that has been fighting for ‘refugee status’ since three years.

Bhutan News Service quoted Beldangi-I Camp secretary, TB Gurung, as saying that the committee decided to launch a relay strike in his camp focusing larger flow of representatives from the GoN and other aid agencies to Beldangi camps.

To begin the sit-in protest, hundreds of non-registered Bhutanese marched from Beldangi-II and Extension camps to Beldangi-I this morning. They also carried various playcards.

According to camp statistics, over 3000 Bhutanese are waiting for ‘refugee status’ in all seven camps.