THE STORY OF REFUGEES
a picture paints a thousands words

If at one time the Bhutanese regime attempted to profess complete innocence by alleging that those in the camps were not Bhutanese at all but Indian Nepalis evicted from the north-eastern states of India and poor Nepalis from the vicinity of the camps, it is now attempting to absolve itself by claiming that refugees who can prove that they are Bhutanese have, in fact, already forfeited their citizenship by 'voluntarily' emigrating from Bhutan. The changing stand of the Royal Government of Bhutan with regard to the status of the people in the refugee camps in eastern Nepal should suffice to indicate the less than honest intentions of the regime.

The photograph show all eighteen representatives of the people of the Chirang District during the year 1982. At that time, because of its primarily Lhotshampa population, the sub-division of Dagapela formed a part of Chirang despite its geographical location within Dagana district. Thus, the Chimi (National Assembly Member) representing Dagapela and the Gups of the three Gewogs (a 'Block' consisting of a group of villages) of Dagapela are also in the picture. Dagapela was merged with Dagana district in 1985. 

The Gup is the main link between the administration and the people. Assisted by one or more assistants (called Chipons in the north, Karbaris in the South), depending on the number of households, the Gup is responsible for all records and data pertaining to land, taxes, population etc. He facilitates and records land transaction, collects revenue, records marriages and births, settles minor disputes etc. He is also responsible for organising and arranging labour contributions and for ensuring that government notifications are transmitted and disseminated.

The Chimi is supposed to be the spokesperson of the people at the National Assembly. Conditions, however, are not conducive to frank exchanges. In any case, the low representation of Lhotshampas in the Assembly, 14 out of 150, (containing a sixth of the country's population, Chirang, including Dagapela, has only 3 members) renders any attempts to draw attention to southern Bhutanese concerns futile. Nonetheless, during the currency of their terms, Chimis who are 'elected' by the people received due respect.

The plight of the majority from these 1982 group of prominent citizens from Chirang is a pointer to the plight of the southern Bhutanese population in general. Of the eighteen representatives of the public who served as the bridge between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the people of Chirang district in 1982, two are understandably in Bhutan because of their Ngalong (north-western Bhutanese) descent. From among the sixteen Lhotshampas, one has died, one is still in his village, two are in prison and the remaining twelve are all refugees in Nepal.

When the government was successful in finding the means to evict even such people who are generally known and respected in the villages, the average illiterate farmer had little chance. Belonging to well established families and generally among the to well-to-do in their respective villages, these individuals had even stronger motives to stay. As representatives accustomed to the government machinery, in the desperate attempts to prove their nationality these individuals were also better informed and more capable of proving their bona fides. Yet, as their current plight shows, they were not successful. Will anyone believe that people living in relative comfort will willingly leave behind home, land and property and opt to "voluntarily emigrate" to a refugee camp ? Is it conceivable that an entire lot of representatives could all be of questionable pedigree and, therefore, not deserving of Bhutanese nationality and citizenship ? Or, will the Royal Government of Bhutan argue that the individuals in this picture are not who they claim to be?

Source: HUROB  Annual Report, 1993.

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