Arrest spree in Bhutan
As reported the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) in Sarbhang like in ninety's started crackdown in the villages and arresting
people on suspicion of allegedly helping the so called militants and also keeping or meeting relatives from the refugee
camps in Nepal.
The RBA arrested the following persons a week ago from village Sisty, Singi block, Sarbhang district.
1. Pratap singh Bhatarai
2. Kharka Bahadur Rai
3. Chandra Bahadur subba.
Whereabouts and the conditions of this arrested people including arrested earlier are not known. No people from outside
the Sisty village are allowed to visit. The area is fully cordoned off by the RBA and other villagers are harassed and
threatened. No one is allowed to speak any thing on the action of the RBA.
The action of the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGOB) and arrest spree of the RBA is unbecoming especially when the
government is preparing to hold parliamentary election though orchestrated for the first time in Bhutan and which is
scheduled on 24th March 2008.
The action is going to deprived many eligible southern Bhutanese (arrested) from casting their maiden vote besides their
voting rights for no crime. It might be a deliberate action of the RGOB to show the world that so called militants are
trying to sabotage the ushering of democracy, called by the stooges the gift of the 4th King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, not
realizing that it is fought by more than 110000 refugees in exile and are excluded. However best may be the election and
the democracy, it is not going to be stable as long as refugees are excluded and harassment of the southern Bhutanese
continue.
Above all, the Human Rights Organization of Bhutan (HUROB) is concern right now more with the safety and security of the
arrested people and their conditions. We appeal all the concerns to urge RGOB to immediately stop unwarranted arrest,
terrorize people and respect the rights of the prisoners and give fair treatment and justice.
S.B.Subba
Chairman, HUROB.
(Editors Note: Circulated as received)
ENDS