Exiled Bhutanese call off long march

KATHMANDU, May 30 – Exiled Bhutanese  Wednesday called off their Long March for voluntary repatriation following two-hour long talks with Indian officials at Panitanki after the latter agreed to release 14 arrested exiled Bhutanese and hold dialogue with Bhutan.

The exiled Bhutanese—who had been stopped by Indian security personnel at the Mechi Bridge for the last two days—called off their programme after a meeting this morning with the Indian security officials to end the rising tension in and around the Mechi Bridge at the Indo-Nepal border.

Indian authorities agreed to release Bhutanese Human Rights activist Narad Adhikari and 13 other exiled Bhutanese who were arrested yesterday and to submit a memorandum to the Indian prime minister with the demands  during the meeting.

The Nepali talks team headed by Chief District Officer of Jhapa Jaya Mukunda Khanal comprised Bhutanese  leaders and local political leaders.

Yesterday, irate refugees had tried to cross the Mechi Bridge after the West Bengal security officials asked the Bhutanese talks team led by Mohan Tamang and others to call off their marching programme warning that "anything could happen otherwise”.

Meanwhile, yesterday morning, the Indian security personnel beat up exiled Bhutanese attempting to cross the Mechi Bridge with truncheons and fired a dozen rounds of tear gas canisters to push back the crowd while the protesters pelted stones in return.

The Bhutanese  leaders demanded that India let them continue their Long march without any obstruction up to the Bhutan border and also arrange a dialogue with Bhutanese officials.

On the other hand, despite the crackdown by Indian security personnel, the refugees organized a sit-in today as well at the Mechi Bridge.

Meanwhile, the indefinite curfew orders have been lifted in Beldangi since 10 this morning. Bhutan News Service