NFD-Bhutan in diplomatic campaign for repatriation

Kakarvitta, July 16: The NFD-Bhutan has said it would soon declare it's in country program after completing the exercise of diplomatic struggle with the central government of India to their issue.

In a press statement released after the two-day meeting held here on Sunday, the NFD said it decided to continue its program of lobbying, campaigning and advocacy at national, regional and international level.

“In view of the assurances and commitments received from well wishers, particularly the national leaders of India, the NFD-Bhutan will also make necessary preparations to launch its in country program while regional and international campaign will continue taking into confidence the support and assurances of the democracy loving people,” the political coalition said.

NFD said it would declare it's in country program soon in view of approaching 2008 election in Bhutan and in consideration of the changed context of the Indo-Bhutan friendship treaty that binds the strings of Bhutanese diplomatic relationship.

After suspending the Long March for a month, the NFD teamed up in three groups and began campaigning surrounding neighboring states of India to understand the ground reality at the people level of the largest democracy. 

During this period, the NFD leaders held meetings with Sitaram Yachury of Communist Party of India (Marxist), D. Raja of Communist Party of India, Dewabrata Biswas of All India Forward Bloc, and Prof. D. Tripathi of Nationalist Congress Party, who assured their solidarity and support for the success of the struggle for democracy and repatriation of the exiled Bhutanese.

The Indian leaders assured to apprise the coming Parliament session which will begin after Presidential election, NFD said.

The NFD said its team also met the Foreign Cell Convener Surendra K. Arora of the Indian opposition Bharatiya Janta Party and Arun Kumar Srivastav, General Secretary of the Janta Dal (U) as well who also assured to extend their support for finding early and lasting solution of the Bhutan crisis.

The team that visited North Bengal met with MP Dawa Norbu of Darjeeling and MP Nakul Das Rai of Sikkim, the team visiting Kolkota met CPI (M) leader Sukendu. Bhutan News Service