Dhakal wants resettled Bhutanese’ right to return

Executive Chairman of Bhutan National Democratic Party (BNDP) DNS Dhakal has asked stakeholders to ensure resettled Bhutanese have rights to go Bhutan, if they wish.

Speaking to media in Kathmandu, Dhakal said, “The Bhutanese government should allow them to return to Bhutan by giving status of non-resident Bhutanese so that Bhutan can also benefit from their contribution.”

“We urge the Bhutanese regime that it should not be rigid on this proposal of grating the status of non-resident Bhutanese to thousands of refugees who will ultimately contribute to Bhutanese economy and its social development,” he said.

Dhakal also urged Bhutan to access those who are willing for repatriation.

Dhakal claimed proposal has been submitted to King Jigme Khesar to do verification of the refugees willing to go back only on the basis of Bhutanese and non-Bhutanese.

The exiled Bhutanese political parties and their leaders are also preparing to meet some Kathmandu-based diplomats, senior Nepali politicians and officials to pave way for a fresh round of negotiation between Nepal and Bhutan.

Dhakal, who is busy setting up a refugee museum in Jhapa, hopes that the planned meetings with diplomatic community, political parties and policy makers will bear fruits as their movement for right to return has entered a new phase.

Dhakal has also been pushing the idea of Non Resident Bhutanese among the resettled Bhutanese community though it takes a long way to get recognition from Bhutan.