The hunger strike has been organized by the Relief Deprived Bhutanese Refugees Women’s Group and 15 women are observing the fast-unto-death since November 15.[break]
The Women’s Group has started the hunger strike demanding fulfillment of their five-point demands including that the Bhutanese refugees deprived of identity cards be given the cards and the provision of ration distributed by different donors.
Acting Chief District Officer of Jhapa district, Yogendra Dulal, coordinator of the Human Rights Organization of Nepal, East Region chapter, Dr. K.P. Subedi, among others had held talks with the representatives of the Women’s Group on Sunday in an effort to break the hunger strike. But the talks failed as the people staging the hunger strike were adamant they would not break their fast until all their demands were met.
The Group claims that 3,649 Bhutanese refugees living in six camps in Jhapa and Morang districts have missed the verification carried out by the UN High Commission on Refugees and therefore have not got the identity cards with them which has resulted in they being deprived of various relief assistance given to the refugees.
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