Another Bhutanese refugee killed in Beldangi

Another Bhutanese refugee was killed on Monday when the police opened fire at the agitating refugees who clashed with the Armed Police Force personnel in defiance of the indefinite curfew clamped in Jhapa's Beldangi camp area.

At least 14 policemen, including Deputy SP Krishna Raj Pathak, and seven refugees were injured during Monday’s squabble. 

Indefinite curfew has been clamped in Beldangi, Jhapa Monday after a clash that ensued between police and the agitating Bhutanese refugees – following the death of a refugee in a clash with the police personnel Sunday.

According to reports, at least seventeen persons including eleven policemen were injured today as clashes continued between the refugees and the police personnel.

Defying the crew, protesting refugees have continued their demonstrations.

Although the police has been firing shots in the air and shooting tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, the agitators have already marched in front of the Armed Police base camp. The police force, overwhelmed by the size of the crowd, has been unable to check the crowd's movement.

Although the local administration and police had called the agitating side for talks, the later had declined the offer.

Nara Pati Dhungel, 17, was killed Sunday 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.

Meanwhile, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Sunday expressed its concern over the death of a Bhutanese refugee and called on the refugees to show restraint and halt growing violence.

In a statement issued today, the UNHCR said, “We are alarmed by this incident and deeply regret the tragic death of a minor despite efforts by the police to quell the unrest in the camp,” the statement quoted Abraham Abraham, UNHCR Representative in Nepal as saying.

The situation continues to be tense in the camp which seems to have spilled over to the other refugee camps in the eastern region, the statement said.

“This is a disturbing state of affairs and I earnestly call upon all refugees and concerned parties to resolve the matter peacefully," added Abraham.

UNHCR also appealed to the refugees to abide by the laws of the country.

Stating that the UN refugee agency was closely monitoring the situation Abraham said, “UNHCR is grateful to the Government of Nepal for working towards restoring law and order in the camps in the face of what is a highly charged security situation in the camps.”