PM's statement is baseless
The 86th National Assembly session of December 27 discussed the issue of exiled Bhutanese. PM Khandu Wangchuk termed these Bhutanese citizens as 'ready-made-terrorists.' Exiled Bhutanese and their leaders have already opposed the remarks of the Druk regime. One of the parliamentarians from central Bhutan has even opposed the statements claiming it would further derail the repatriation process of the exiled Bhutanese. Bhutan News Service (BNS) Thimphu correspondent Sangey Oendrey informally talked to him, who said he doesn't like to be identified at this phase. Excerpts:
BNS: How have you taken PM's recent statement terming exiled Bhutanese as 'terrorists'?
Parliamentarian: It's a great misfortune that Bhutan still does not like to deal the issue of its citizens very seriously. The recent statement from a responsible person like the prime minister is one of the suitable instances to verify it. I can just say that the statement is baseless and unfair.
BNS: Why didn’t you raise voice against it in the assembly session?
Parliamentarian: I think I was the only one who was with different opinion. I need not have to speak so much of Bhutan's atrocities and action against those who openly oppose the government statements. This was the main reason that I didn’t raise my voice. If I did, I would have faced serious penalty. I life would become insecure. I may have to leave the country.
BNS: For how long you want to remain suppressed?
Parliamentarian: To be very frank, the conspiracy not to repatriate exiled Bhutanese will get normalized only when people now residing inside Bhutan will be politically aware and come to streets with a single voice against the autocratic regime. I am gradually lobbying other parliamentarians for the same. In reality, I don’t like to spend suppressed life even for a moment. However, it will be worthless if I leave the country without having campaigned some of my friends.
BNS: Are exiled Bhutanese really ready-made-terrorists?
Parliamentarian: I think the world community clearly knows that they are people in search of human rights and democracy but not terrorists. What I suspect now is that criminal groups inside Bhutan, some non-Bhutanese within the exiled Bhutanese community may forge alliance for rebellion activities. Khandu's statement has encouragement for them. I don't think true Bhutan may take up arms against Bhutanese provided government deliver justice on time.
BNS: Is repatriation possible?
Parliamentarian: Let me just say that it may take time but Bhutan will have no alternatives left then to back its genuine citizens.
BNS: What are your future programs?
Parliamentarian: I may be insecure if I wish to disclose all plans. The time is drawing closer for all people whether they are inside or outside Bhutan to launch protests against dictatorship.