Bhutanese Refugees Engage Into Fight

One person was killed and 27 others injured when agitating Bhutanese refugees clashed with the police at the Beldangi Camp in Jhapa district this afternoon.

According to police, 20-year-old Purna Bahadur Tamang of Beldangi -II succumbed to his bullet injuries while undergoing treatment at Amda Hospital. Police opened fire to disperse the mob, police said.

Tensions soared at Beldangi following the death of a refugee in a clash with the Armed Police Force personnel yesterday.

At least 27 persons including eleven policemen were injured today as clashes continued between the refugees and the police.

Even though the district administration office imposed an indefinite curfew in the Beldangi area from 11:45 am today, protesting refugees defied the curfew orders and continued demonstrations.

Police and refugees exchanged stones and police rained lathis to control the irate refugees. Police also resorted to firing tear gas shells and blank fires to disperse the mob.

Nara Pati Dhungel, 17, was killed yesterday when police opened fire in ‘self-defence’ after the refugees attacked a police team that had gone to the camp after receiving information that refugees were engaged in a fight.

The fight between two groups of refugees — one in favour of third country resettlement and another for repatriation — broke out following a dispute with Hari Bagale Adhikari, the secretary of the camp.

Meanwhile, India sealed its border with Jhapa to foil the refugees’ plan for a return to Bhutan today.

The refugee leaders vowed to enter Bhutan today by defyimg any restriction from any side.