The Lhotshampa refugees from Bhutan in the camps of southeast Nepal have finally raised some dust. Having tarried for over five years on UN HCR dole, waiting for desultory talks between Thimphu and Kathmandu to bear fruit, some refugees finally decided that they wanted to go back home.
As they crossed the Indo-Nepal frontier at the Mechi bridge in mid-January on their way to Phuntsoling, the Bhutanese border town more than a hundred km away, the government of India was, for the first time, forced to show its hand. It slapped a prohibitory order (Sec 144 Cr.P.C.) on the rallyists and arrested many, some of whom remained behind bars in Siliguri more than a month later.
New Delhi, which holds the cards on the crisis due to its influence over Thimphu, has steadfastly maintained that it desires no part in a bilateral issue between the two kingdoms. This translates as strong support for King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, whose government´s determined agenda at the turn of the decade led to the outflow of the Lhotshampa, who are Nepali-speaking Bhutanese from the country´s south. The arrest of the peace marchers was the first, and forced, act of the Indian government on the matter.
On the refugees´ side, too, this was a first. Quarrelsome factions that call themselves political parties and human rights groups have mushroomed behind myopic personalities, and a common platform has till date proved impossible. Even while one group sits in dharna at the Indo-Nepal border, for example, another group organises a rival cycle rally in Siliguri. Accusations are flying.