Basnet passed away at 59 (UPDATE 4:30 AM)

Kathmandu, August 18: President of Bhutan National Democratic Party (BNDP) R. B. Basnet passed away at the age of 59 at 2:45 this morning while undergoing treatment at Bir Hospital, Kathmandu in critical situation.

Basnet had been facing the problem at urinary system since a few years. The stomach had also been swollen.

On Friday, the doctors at the hospital had said it was difficult to get complete cure of the problem.  Basnet had earlier gone initial check up at one of the Jhapa-based hospitals.

He was admitted to hospital on August 8, Wednesday.

The Nepalese government had turned deaf to repeated request to provide financial support for his treatment.

Leaving his job as the managing director of the state trading corporation, Basnet had established BNDP to fight for democracy, human rights and suppression on the southern Bhutanese in the country.

In 1992, the Bhutanese authority had held several rounds of talks with Nepalese ministers trying to extradite him like Tek Nath Rizal, who was then extradited by authoritarian Nepalese government. However, the newly formed democratic government of Nepal denied his extradition saying lack of extradition treaty between the two countries. His extradition was discussed several times during the 70th and 71st session of the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, Association of Press Freedom Activists (APFA) Bhutan and Third World Media Network-Bhutan Chapter have expressed deep condolences over Basnet's death. "Refugees in exile have lost one of their historic leaders" quoted the joint press release issued this morning.

Basnet is survived by his wife and three daughters. Bhutan News Service