Thimphu, February 28, 2009: N. L. Katwal has started indefinite hunger strike in Chemgang central jail in Thimphu from Friday putting forward a number of demands.
The 69 years old Katwal from Gelephu was arrested nine years ago for supporting the pro-democracy movement launched by southern and eastern Bhutanese.
Katwal has become second person to go for hunger strike in Bhutanese jail. Earlier, Tek Nath Rizal had launched such strike demanding fair treatment of all citizens.
Katwal, who has been sentenced for 13 years jail term, has demanded release of all political prisoners unconditionally, repatriation of all the citizens evicted in 1990 and improvement of food quality and quantity served in Bhutanese jails.
His other demands are that though democracy has been established in Bhutan last year but fundamental human rights and democratic rights are not accorded to them those who fought for democracy and urged the international community including human rights organization to extend their help in realization of the freedom and democratic rights of Bhutanese citizens.
In a statement, Druk National Congress in New Delhi has requested the international community including India to take up the demands of Katwal with ‘democratic’ government of Bhutan.
Dear Brothers and Sisiters,
Isn`t it UNFAIR in Bhutan where democracy is granted by the King? Democracy in Bhutan was introduced only to blindfold the international pressure and to save the soverginity of Bhutan and Power of king. King of Bhutan is well aware of the Royal Families around the world and he wants to keep power in his grip. I say it is unfair and people’s democracy is not yet established in Bhutan because the political prisoners who were arrested are still held in Jail. These prisoners should be realesed Unconditionally by RGOB. There is no hope for repatration to Bhutan. Bhutan, to prove as a Democratic nation must release Prisoners unconditionally and we the bhutanese should stand together with the same voice.
Jai BHutan
i hope the hunger strike goes on until he dies.what’s his age did u say?60 something..not too tough.go on old man..strike..
APFA ..you say freedom of speech..where is it?? i wrote something and you posted something else. who are you scared of.post everything i wrote man.
no wonder you guys receive attention from only NEPAL that is because the Govt. gains from this excercise. good luck with your SO CALLED FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
hi FOR PEACE
why do you bring King’s name in here? how do you even know that the King has hand in this? Bhutan is democracy, and the power lies in people’s hand via their elected leaders.so please dont go on blaming the beloved king.
as for the hunger strike and the cause ..i guess you know that prisoners everywhere have limited rights.that is because they have violated the rights. so u and the 69(wow what an age) year old man must understand that
It is brave step
The step taken by NL is brave.He should continue his hunger strike so that international community can also pressurise ROYAL government of Bhutan. Bhutan has given democracy to the realative of royal families.The commant written by drukpa shows that he is the fool to support the king who evicted the one-sixth of the people of the country.How can he said the BHUTAN is a democrtic country.Who has got the fundamental right except royalish?If a country is democratic then all the people should treat equally.Why there is discremenation amoung the people of same country? Katwal should continue his strike till his death so that other pople of the community can take a breath.Bhutan is still in the policy of one people one nation.This policy will not take bhutan in right direction, it will spoil the future of bhutan. Every bhutanese citizion should take step to stop this policy so that the future of bhutan will in good path.
These are the real man even when they die they live for ever in the heart of those who struggle in Bhutan.It might takes years and years but no doubt we will achive successes one day in Bhutan.People cannot reamin silent all the time keeping their pain and sorrows hiding and dominating.
Our lal salam to all Heros those who are in Chemgang.
Writer,,,,,bhutantigerforce@yahoo.com
Let all the corrupted […….] die so rest of the bhutanese live!!!!
bravo to all the dead people…u deserve it..hahaha
It is necesary to escape him from there. I hope Gigme regime will not rule in Bhutan for a long time.Like Gyanendra in Nepal he has to Go out From his palace.