GCRPPB Youth Coordinator Ms. Divya Chauwan Provides Financial Support to Families of Chamgang-Based Political Prisoners and Camp-Based Former Political Prisoners in Beldangi Camp
Beldangi, Jhapa, Nepal — October 20, 2025: Ms. Divya Chauwan, USA-based Youth Coordinator of the Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB), visited Beldangi Refugee Camp to meet families of Bhutanese political prisoners and former political prisoners who endured long years of incarceration in Bhutan.
During her visit, Ms. Chauwan engaged closely with families to understand their living conditions, challenges, and welfare, while sharing updates on GCRPPB’s global advocacy efforts to secure the release of Bhutanese political prisoners. Many of these prisoners remain behind bars for peacefully demanding democracy, equality, and human rights in Bhutan.
As a gesture of solidarity during the Tihar festival, Ms. Chauwan personally contributed NPR 5,000 (five thousand Nepali rupees) each to five families of Bhutan-based political prisoners and seven former political prisoners residing in the Beldangi camp. The contribution came entirely from her personal savings, reflecting her deep compassion and commitment to justice and freedom.
Families who received support included Kesang Dema (mother of Rinzin Wangdi), Damber Kumari Adhikari (mother of Om Nath Adhikari), Laxmi Pulami (sister of Damber Singh Pulami), Tulasha Dhakal (sister of Ganga Ram Dhakal), and Bhim Bahadur Rai (brother of Hasta Bahadur Rai)—all their loved ones are still imprisoned in Chamgang Central Jail, Bhutan since several decades.
Ms. Chauwan expressed heartfelt solidarity, assuring families that GCRPPB’s international network continues to advocate tirelessly for the immediate and unconditional release of their relatives. Her visit, coinciding with the festival season, brought emotional comfort and renewed hope to those who have endured decades of hardship in exile.
She also handed over NPR 5,000 (five thousand Nepali rupees) each to seven former political prisoners—Dil Kumar Rai, Ram Bahadur Chamling, Madhukar Manger, Damber Bahadur Rai, Tek Bahadur Manger, Santi Ram Acharya, and Mangal Dhoj Subba—who were previously imprisoned under harsh conditions in Bhutan before being released and resettled in the camp.
In a voice message to GCRPPB Founder and Global Coordinator Mr. Ram Karki in The Hague, Mr. Madhukar Manger, released in 2023 after 29 years of imprisonment, expressed being deeply touched by support from “a young cheli (daughter) all the way from the USA.” Similarly, Mr. Ram Bahadur Rai, released in 2024 after 32 years of unjust imprisonment, said the financial assistance would allow him to visit a dentist in Damak for long-needed treatment.
The visit was organized by GCRPPB’s Camp Coordinator and former political prisoner Mr. Dil Kumar Rai and graciously hosted by Mrs. Dambar Kumari Adhikari, mother of Chamgang-based political prisoner Mr. Om Nath Adhikari. The event was overseen by GCRPPB Founder and Global Coordinator Mr. Ram Karki. Families, former political prisoners, and community supporters warmly welcomed Ms. Divya Chauwan’s visit as a meaningful gesture of solidarity and hope. Mr. Karki expressed his deep appreciation to youth leader Ms. Chauwan for her compassionate efforts and extended warm Tihar greetings to all attendees.