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Democracy Movement Steps up in Bhutan

Jan Sharma writes from Kathmawfri
**Some political analysts say the movement for democracy in Bhutan may be an important foreign policy ittue for major political parties in Nepal's May parliamentary elections.
EMANDS for democ racy and human right tn Bhutan are gaining in momentum with activists staging silent demonstration In the neighbouring Himalayan kingdom of Nepal.
The demonstrations, organized by the Bhutanese Cooperation Group, have been sup ported by various political parties in Nepal. There is popular sympathy for the movement in Bhutan as the repression affects mostly ethnic Nepali
In the eastern township of Biratnagar. a 'Bhutanese People Cooperation Forum" has been launched to support the dissidents. Some Bhutanese have alleged that it is a design for 'Greater Nepal." or a federation of Nepal. Sikkim and Bhutan
Bhutanese are inspired and encouraged by "Jan Andolan," or the popular movement that toppled down the authoritarian Panchayat regime In Nepal last April giving way to multi-party democracy and constitutional monarchy.
'We have to support the Bhutanese people for democracy with the same spirit when we took part in the lib-cration movement of India (against the British in 1947) and are raising our voices against the apartheid policy tn Smith Africa." says Nepal Communist Party general sec-re Lary Man Mohan Adhtkary.
He has called for ending a ‘despotic system" which exer ctsed control on all aspects of life: religion, culture and cus tom.
Glrlja Prasad Koirala, general secretary of the Nepali Congress, the largest political party which most believe would form the future government. has also appealed to the Bhutanese ruler in September to "give up the policy of confrontation and introduce multi party democracy before things get out of hand."
Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattaral. who came to power following the "Jana Andolan." has not yet taken a public stand on the issue. He had a word with Bhutan's King Jigme Singye Wangchuk in Male during the South Aslan summit conference In November on the treatment of ethnic Nepali in that kingdom.
"We had friendly and frank conversation on the political situation In Bhutan, particularly the problems faced by ethnic Nepalls there. His Majesty agreed that there were some problems and as mired me to try solve them.' Prime Minister Bhattarat told Depthnewt.
Rishikesh Shah, eminent scholar and president of the Human Rights Organisation of Nepal, says the 'despite the close religious, cultural and geographical ties between Nepal and Bhutan, the Nepali an not extending due ymp.i thy to the Bhutanese people in their struggle.'
lie wants Nepali to give full support to the movement launched by the Bhutanese People's Party (BPP).
BPP President R K. Bud hathokt claims here that Bhutanese troops have killed 531 Bhutanese opposed to t) regime, and they have been able to recover only 194 bodies so far. More than 200 people have sustained injuries, and 4.1 15 activists have been detained and are being tortured.
The Bhutanese people would not remain a silent spectator 1f the royal regime tn Thimphu continued the sup pression. he warn He says, "we would revolt If our de mandare not met'
We are ready for a dialogue with King Jigme Wangehuk.' says DP Kalle a Kathmandu based BPP liaison officer. The talk must take place outside Bhutan as BPP workers have been described by Thimphu as 'traitors' and liable to punishment by Death.
'11k- demand for democracy was launched by the BPP last October 16 which the Nepalls celebrated as the traditional Day of the Crow. In response. King Jigme Increased the number of troops from 8.000 to over 17.000. Yonng people arc being forcibly recruited. Bhutanese dissidents say.
Most schools and government offices in the southern and eastern parts of the kingdom have remained closed for the last several months. There an- 10.000 Bhutanese in exile in Nepal, and another 12.000 have taken refuge in India, according to Mr. Kaflc.
Government troops have been harassing ethnic Nepali Lam October 30. tn DagsprU set on fire the houses of opposition leaders Ethnic V pubs fere political and -H lai dtscrlmlnaiion and are also deprived of citizenship if they fall to produce evidence that they haw lived tn Bhutan before IBM
The BPP had submitted a memorandum to King Jigme on July 2 asking him for po hi teal reforms But the government has shown no response other than further sup pression The regime has dubbed the demdcratlc movement as "acts of terror ism."
"We are aware that the regime will suppress our lx r is ready to facTX bXt In tlic quest for a free and . democratic Bhutan." the BPP said In a statement
In a pointed editorial, the state-run Nepali dally The Corkhapatra noted that monarchy was set up tn Bhutan only 83 years ago and I hat It from BrnatntrT tMiTUanor bv In Nepal has a 3—jw history and the Hindu king dom has never been under any colonial rule
lstouM be pnMaM M *. port of the Bhutaneseesia amt to MN tbsaafa far multi party democracy and constitutional monarchy.- th d.itlv said hoping that thia would be tn the interest the
respected c-.fomnlsi recent pou.fcd out the wide dtserep "nd ‘"nd°WC1"1 and
Bhutan's official figure 4a 14 million Bahram Pandya I. leader of the People s Forum for Human Rights of Bhutan says the population ts 491.000. The BPP says ft is no higher than" 600.000
Mr. Jow says there are many explanations far this yawning gap. Mr P4udyal claims Thimphu 'tnffatdd population figures to get more aid from world organisations.*Another explanation ts that Thimphu Is trying to surpass the true figure of Nepali ethnic compncnt of Its population.