Refugees forced to end hunger strike
Officials say they acted on doctor's suggestions.Jhapa District administration today resorted to force to end Bhutanese refugees' hunger strike today after they refused to do so, despite their worsening health condition.
The development comes four days after six refugee women started a hunger strike at Damakbased Beldangi Camp No 2 demanding that the gov ernment register 3,749 refugees, who were left out during the last registration drive. The refugees said this has hampered them from getting food aid.
A team from Armed Police Force and Nepal Police, intervened in the protest and scooped up the ailing strikers to hospital for treatment.Refugees Durgadevi Bista, Iradevi Khatri and Tulasa Dhakal were first taken to the Damak-based
Amda Hospital and later to Biratnagar for further treatment. Police have said the Bhutanese were taken to hospital on doctors suggestions following a health check up.
Three days ago, two of the refugees: Chandramaya Khadka and Renuka Magar, had also been rushed to Biratnagar for treatment after their health deteriorated. Bista, who is also the coordinator of the strike, has accused the police of using force to end the strike.
This is the third time that the refugees have resorted to hunger strike.
Earlier, after a 12-day hunger strike, Assistant CDO Yogendra Dulal of Jhapa district administration had pledged to address the refugees’ concern in five months. But after the pledge was not implemented, the refugees had started the latest round of strikes.
Published on: 30 April 2012 | The Himalayan Times
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