Latest report from the fire venue says that the fire is brought under control with joint effort of the refugees, locals and the fire brigades which were still on the site while this report is being filed.
Talking with our correspondent over telephone, Dhan Bahadur Chhetri, Sector Head of Sector B informed that they assume no human casualty.
Meanwhile, Pradip Adhikari,┬а Assistant Sub-inspector of Beldangi Base Camp who was on the venue informed BNS that altogether 17 huts have been destroyed.
The fire that broke out in Beldangi-I camp Wednesday night at around 9:30 has left dozens of thatched-roof huts destroyed, BNS correspondents from camps reported.
According to our correspondent, the fire broke out from Sector G-1.
Altogether 58,412 exiled Bhutanese from various refugee camps of Jhapa and Morang have left for different countries under the ongoing third country resettlement program as of December 15, bringing down the initial camp population below its half.
The United States has taken the biggest number of refugees, informed a the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). As of now, 49,012 Bhutanese have been resettled in various US states.
Meanwhile, Australia has resettled 3,197 refugees, Canada 4,195, Denmark 612, the Netherlands 324, New Zealand 589, Norway 372 and the United Kingdom 111.
The UNHCR said, still around 54,972 refugees from Bhutan continue to stay in Nepal.
Two persons including one exiled Bhutanese were killed in a bike accident that occurred at Sangam Chock, along the Beldangi-Damak road, Saturday.
According to Damak Police, both bike riders Rabin Rai from Illam and Damber Biswa from Beldangi-II Extension, Sector-B/2, Hut No 50 died while being treated in the Life Line Hospital, Damak.
Meanwhile, seriously injured two women and a child were referred to Siliguri of India.
Kesang Lhendup was┬аunanimously elected ┬аas new President of the┬аDruk National Congress (DNC) following an┬а“extraordinary” convention held in Kathmandu on Sunday.
New President Lhendup
48-year-old Lhendup was born in Mongar district and joined the party in 1994, serving as party in the post of General Secretary and Vice-President, according to a press statement issued by the party, Monday.
Addressing the party leaders and cadres, President Lhendup said, тАЬMy predecessor, Late Rongthong Kunley Dorji had served his life and was instrumental in ushering Bhutan from an absolute monarchy, to a constitutional democracy under the constitutional monarchy.”
He further said, “I am hopeful that the people of Bhutan and the well-wisher will continue to extend their support to my endeavor in establishing inclusive and vibrant democracy in Bhutan.”
According to his claim, people of Bhutan owe him (RKD) a deepest respect and gratitude, saying, “His untimely demise was great loss and setback to the Bhutanese democratic movement.”
He also mentioned that he valued and cherished his political legacy. “I will continue his good works so that every Bhutanese irrespective of race, sex, religion, politics or other status could enjoy the fruits of genuine democracy.”
The election of the president was necessitated after the founding president, Rongthong Kunley Dorji passed away on 19th October 2011 in India.
The news DNC includes Gedun Choephel and Pema Tendzin as Vice-Presidents, Karma Duptho and Sangay Dorji as General Secretary and Treasurer respectively.┬аChewang Rixin has been appointed as the President of Druk National Youth Congress.
At least a few hundreds of exiled Bhutanese were present Saturday in Beldangi-II camp to mark the 104th National Day of Bhutan, recalling the installation of the monarchy in the country for the first time in December 17, 1907.
Leaders and guests observing one-minute silence to honor Bhutanese martyrs
Interestingly, 108-year-old Indra Bahadur Subba, the eldest member from the Bhutanese community in exile, lighted six candles тАУ each representing separate letters in ‘Bhutan’.
“I have come here to participate in a program that involves repatriation to my own kingdom,” Subba told Bhutan News Service after the completion of the event, where various persons including former members of the parliament expressed their views.
Sailendra Singh Arora of the Bhutan Solidary Group lauded the initiative to mark the National Day of Bhutan, forgetting the pain and suffering.
He also mentioned that the democratic struggle of the exiled Bhutan has been fading away as leaders lack a united stance for the cause, but said, “The government of Bhutan will accept you one day.”
Several those who presented their opinions said that celebration of the national events in Bhutan would at least mean that the camp residents are Bhutanese.
Elderly citizens gathered to observe the 104th National Day Celebration in Beldangi-II, Saturday
“Every person has well defined nationality. We are Bhutanese citizens, entitled to enjoy equal rights as the King does. This is why we are celebrating the National Day today,” said Dr Bhampa Rai, Chairperson of the Bhutanese Refugee Representative Repatriation Committee.
However, youth leader Chabi Kharel said celebrations of such a day would simply mean that the exiled community supports tyrannical monarchy in the country.
“It was the day when the first dictatorial king was institutionalized. Thus, observing the National Day means nothing for freedom fighters,” he said.
Former Caption of the Royal Bhutan Army N.B.Giri, former members of the parliaments Narad Moni Shanyashi, T.R. Regmi, Harka Jung Subba of the Senior Citizens’ Group, among others also presented their views.
Various 11 women, who fasted-to-death for 12 days last month, received cash donations from their friends abroad, Thursday.
Woman Coordinator Durga Devi Bista hands over cash donations to her friend
The Bhutan Media Society distributed US$ 410 collected from various 15 individuals and two organizations -Punya Foundation and Bhutanese Community in Netherlands – to the women in Beldangi-II.
The donation was mobilized to regain the lost health of women, who fasted without food and water for 12 days demanding refugee status and other aid facilities.
Meanwhile, Women Coordinator Durga Devi Bista thanked all donors for their valuable supports.
“The women will use this money for their treatment and diets,” said Bista.
