NA members take up southern Bhutan problem (Nation)
Thimphu, January 23: After 19 years of silence, the politicians in Bhutan finally talked about the problem of southern Bhutan briefly ahead of the closing day of the second session of elected National Assembly on Wednesday.
A southern Bhutan lawmaker who was army general during the 1990 demonstrations, said government should waive off the restriction imposed on the issuance of security clearance to those people who have been alleged of involving in 1990 demonstration.
Similarly, the lawmakers demand that people categorised under F5 and the dropout cases from 1992 national census whose families were forced to leave the country be debated and reconsider under changed political context.
Though the MPs said people expected from the new government to solve the issue, Home Minister Minjur Dorji denied puling off the security clearance from police authorities to seat for civil service saying it should be there for the security of the country.
He cited the recent blast in southern Bhutan to stress the need of security clearance. However, it is well known that government has accused exiled Bhutan for the blasts and not those who still live inside the country.
Minister Dorji informed the House that cabinet has formed a sub-committee to look into the southern Bhutan problem and added government is studying cases under F5. He sought more time to solve the issue.
Another NA member from Sarpang Prem Kumar Gurung said people who are related to (exiled Bhutanese) should not be penalized unless and until the persons concerned are directly involved in 1990 demons.
PDP MP Damcho Dorji said his party is also equally worried about the census problem of the people in the south and in the east and asked the government to solve the problem as soon as possible.
The closing ceremony was attended by King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk with traditional ceremony.
Princess Ashi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck, senior government officials, Dzongdas, Indian Ambassador to Bhutan and representatives from international agencies also attended the closing ceremony. Bhutan News Service