DNC issues congratulatory message to Tobgay

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DNC Chairperson Lhendup
DNC President Lhendup

The Druk National Congress (DNC) has issued a congratulatory message to President of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Tshering Tobgay, for the landslide victory the party achieved during the second general election in the country.

“On behalf of the Druk National Congress, please accept our sincere congratulations on the success of the People’s Democratic Party, as well as your own, in the recent general elections,” DNC President, Kesang Lhendup, said in a message.

It further said, DNC expected that Tobgay would leave no stone unturned to implement the promises pledged in the PDP’s election manifesto and serve the Tsa-Wa-Sum with utmost dedication.

“We are hopeful that the lingering Bhutanese refugee issue would be resolved, and the democracy further strengthened in our beloved country,” adding, “We await your positive action for the well-being and happiness of Bhutanese citizens.”

Why DPT lost to PDP?

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Whether people of Bhutan looked for a real change or not, the change of a ruling party has been brought about in the second election.  How efficient will the new government be able to fulfill all its promises remains a test of time. Whether people understand the values of democracy or not, the process seems to show some kind of improvement in the exercise of voting rights looking at the change brought about following several caches during the campaign.  People seem to show their strength of understanding the values of democracy.  When the first election took place in 2008 and PDP lost fatally limiting it to two seats, gossip mongers had several reasons to tell about the background of the party.

Tshering Tobgay and Jigmi Y Thinley

Sources from various constituencies said Sangye Nidup was 4th king’s brother- in-law who actually structured and headed the People’s Democratic Party in its initial foundation period. But, when the king’s father-in-law’s relationship with people worsened  due to his lust for materialistic desires, the king wanted JYT to form the first government of infant democracy.  Moreover, the members of PDP were mostly amateurs while DPT was manned with virtuoso former ministers, ready to continue what was left at the time of transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy. The king rested his confidence in the DPT and hence the landslide victory by JYT party.

This time, the PDP’s victory has different unpublished stories hidden in the fabric of grassroots level of common mass who unwillingly voted for PDP thereby turning down DPT.  Sources requesting anonymity reveal:

  1. All the votes from armed forces and their families were based on the directives of their officers who had specific briefings from the two kings.  The postal ballots from the armed forces too were carefully prepared on royal command received by respective company officers.
  2. Ex. Police Superintendent of Police Rinchen Thinley and former Royal Advisory Councilor Sangye Wangdi, upon directives from the palace had visited the house of Ngatshang Gup on the morning of July 4 where aspiring voters were collected and briefed to vote for PDP only.  On the same day in the afternoon, accompanied by TV Cable contractor Tenzin of Mongar, the former police SP Rinchen Thinley called upon Gyaltshen, Sangye Jamtsho and former MP Aum Sonam under Saleng Geog to brief them on the directives to vote for PDP.  The duo was caught lecturing people of Chhali on July 5.  On the night of the same day at 10pm, they were detained by Mongar police on the allegation of misguiding voters to convert their aspirations towards PDP.  However, they were released when it was understood that they were actually royal emissaries sent for the mission of guiding voters into voting for PDP.  In spite of all the efforts, the DPT bagged all the votes from Mongar because they could not brainwash major sections of the voters who were committed to the DPT and had faith and trust in the party.
  3. The 5th king had personally assured people in the south that census and citizenship problems will be solved giving No. 1 census status to all those who have the issue unresolved.
  4. When India questioned 4th king about JYT’s relationship with China, the king had convinced India that it was totally JYT’s personal interest and assured that Bhutan will always remain dependent and the closest friend to India.
  5. Indo-Bhutan Trade Protocol for subsidy grants expired on June 30, 2013.  So, India proposed Bhutan to renew the agreement on subsidy on LPG gas and petrol. However, 4th king is believed to have told India to wait until new government is formed after the election. The king acceded to the lifting of LPG gas subsidy, left to be renewed by the new government.
  6. In the context of regionalization of Bhutanese politics, the PDP supporters in the western region have begun to antagonize Sharchhokps claiming PDP as the Ngalong parties.  People began to talk about DPT’s sure to get out of the ground. At the very grass roots level of people’s consciousness, they feel that the king has played a game that influenced the people of Sharchhokp region all over from indirectly coercing them not to vote for DPT.

According to confirmed sources from Bhutan, DPT’s 500 members from the east and 1500 from the regions of North, South and Central Bhutan have converged into the capital city of Thimphu to congregate on July 17, 2013 to deliberate on the undemocratic and coerced voting in the election process.  These cohort of DPT members feel that the party should not play  opposition in the parliament.

The congregation is anticipated to bring about the following major issues of national concern:

  1. Bhutan is geo-politically and physically squeezed between the two giant nations of equal nuclear power on earth.  In this context, China blames Bhutan of keeping Indian military along Bhutan-China borders whereby China frequently antagonizes Bhutan by not cooperating on border talks. Therefore, in order to maintain good relationship with the north, India should be asked to remove their army from our northern borders.
  2. Once Indian military vacates our frontiers in the north, our trade relationship with India, which prevails since time immemorial shall continue based on our requirement.

If there is any truth or reality in these stories, there is fear that the democracy in Bhutan is duped in the name of change through maneuvered election process by giving boost to the party that is chosen not by the people, but by the palace.

 [Editor’s note: The author resides in Thimphu, and has wished to remain anonymous]

GA Buddhists prepare to receive Rangjung Rinpoche

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The exiled Buddhists in Atlanta, Georgia are busy preparing for welcoming Kenpo Sange Rangjung Rinpoche, a noted professor of Buddhist studies and religious spiritual master from Nepal, who is arriving for a two-day program on July 27.

Rinpoche (Picture courtesy: Sherpakyidug.org)
Rinpoche (Picture courtesy: Sherpakyidug.org)

According to one of the organizers, Rinpoche is scheduled to offer preaching classes on Buddhism, world peace and spiritualism from July 27-28 at Atlanta Area School for Deaf, Atlanta.

“We are hoping that devotees from other states will also be able to take this opportunity to receive blessings from Rinpoche,” said Sarman Samal.

Rangjung Rinpoche was born on March 25, 1960 at Garjang village that falls in Ramechhap district of Nepal. He became a monk at the age of seven.

On completion of his PhD studies in Buddhist philosophy and in recognition of his excellent teaching abilities, he was awarded certificate of doctorate, the title of Khenpo (professor of Buddhist studies and spiritual preceptor) by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche in January 1994.

Open letter to Tshering Tobgay

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Tshering Tobgay
President
Peoples Democratic Party
Drizang Lam,
Lower Motithang
Thimphu, Bhutan

Dear Mr. President,

The first and foremost achievement that Bhutan made after one hundred years reign of the system of monarchy is the emergence of democracy with constitutional monarchy having proclaimed by the throne at the crucial hour of continued people’s call for a change in the system of government in keeping with the global trend. We saw the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) sailing with bravery and valor when it confronted with landslide victory of 45 seats in the first ever election ever since proclamation of the democracy in Bhutan. We have since been observing your performance as opposition leader in the parliament and in the performance of your duties in carrying out your responsibilities that convinced the people of Bhutan about the chance that your party would get in the second election. We have closely analyzed the induction of members from phased out parties during primary election and appreciated your careful steps being taken in bringing them into your party and took up mass countrywide campaign.

The campaign slogans and cache points you raised at the most crucial moments like the rupee crunch and lifting of subsidies on petroleum and cooking gas by India are issues that we applauded while also appreciated when your party members did not miss to capitalize on the corruption cases that surfaced from Mongar district court. All these put together helped moving obstacles ahead of you and paved your way into the present moment of success. Further, your well planned wisdom of coining your phrases and bringing about surprising promises to the mass such as helicopter service, bolero distribution at geog level, assurance to help resolve census problems in the south, assuring six ministers from the east, qualified doctors in all rural health centers and ambulances were all those which the DPT failed to mention. Having given these promises amongst others, we humbly express our trashi delek on the landslide victory of PDP under your dynamic and charismatic leadership during this second general election. We are confident that your party will keep up to the assurances.

You will agree that Bhutan’s growth also depends on adequate manpower both in terms of technical and administrative lines besides taxpayers at the grass roots level. Besides having been sailing through controversial status in terms of border talks with the northern neighbor, the former government has since long been going bitter with India with whom Bhutan cherishes the longest and the closest friendly relationship both in terms of economic, culture and technical cooperation. Your party has a heavy responsibility lying ahead of you to patch up the worsened relationship as well as maintaining the sanctity of our country’s sovereignty forever cherished since time immemorial.

The democracy will not be lively unless the government and the people accept that as much as the government has its contribution in the emergence of democracy the people of Bhutan had their vital role played for want of democracy and human rights in Bhutan.

Hence, parallel to the proclamation of democracy, unconditional release of political prisoners would have been anticipated of with general amnesty to others who the former government considered anti- nationals for demanding change in the system of governance that ultimately emerged in 2008. The new government is thus anticipated to resolve the political problem that had emerged for want of democracy ever since 1990. In other words, the issue concerning Bhutanese refugees need to be resolved without any prejudice and show the outside world that the GNH campaigned goes to benefit everyone irrespective of race, religion, language and culture in Bhutan. Otherwise, the slogan of GNH will be incomplete no matter to whatever extent our people benefit from economic progress the government would bring about.

President, you also have great responsibilities of uphill task lying ahead of you with the opposition desk in the parliament, who had served the reign of the fourth monarch. The legacy of their parents who served the third monarch is yet another experience most of them have for a long time. Since you belong to ordinary and common family, the people of Bhutan would anticipate you to understand all the bits of aspirations of the common mass. The purpose of this appeal is to apprise to the would -be new Prime Minster of the government of Bhutan to understand the in- depth problem the nation is facing that actually not only threats to our sovereignty and independence but also the continuous socio-economic development of the country.

This appeal seeks for the following accomplishments while fulfilling all your party’s promises while leading the new government in the first term as Prime Minister:

  • Resolve longstanding citizenship and census imbroglio, which deprived a large chunk of the population to exercise their voting franchise
  • Resolve long standing refugee problem by accepting the repatriation for those who are genuine and willing to return to their homesteads
  • Release all the political prisoners unconditionally

Mr President,this appeal anticipates due consideration of the new government in order to bring about a lasting solution to the long awaited problem that has displaced over one sixth of its population and deprived several thousand from their rights voting franchise.

Thanking you in anticipation,

Thinley Penjore
President
Druk National Congress (Democratic)
United States

Exiled parties congratulate Tobgay for ‘landslide’ victory

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Political parties in exile have congratulated the would be Prime Minister cum President of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Tshering Tobgay, for the party’s victory in the second general election held on July 13.

Tshering Tobgay
Tshering Tobgay

At least two exiled parties, Druk National Congress – Democractic  (DNC-D) and Bhutan National Democratic Party (BNDP), hailed the PDP’s overwhelming success in what both the parties described it as “landslide victory” of the future Prime Minister Tobgay.

“The BNDP congratulates People’s Democratic Party for its victory in the second general election held on July 13 and calls upon PDP to come forward with sincerity of purpose for resolution of Bhutan’s political problem, including repatriation of willing Bhutanese refugees with honor and dignity,” BNDP Chief Executive DNS Dhakal (Ph.D) said in a statement issued by the party on Monday.

Dr Dhakal has also called upon PDP to make objective assessment of the current domestic and foreign policies and take corrective measures keeping in viewpoint long-term interest of Bhutan and Bhutanese people.

While, Chairperson Thinley Penjore from the United States said, “DNC-D would humbly express our Trashi Delek on the landslide victory of PDP under your dynamic and charismatic leadership during this second general election. We are confident that your party will keep up to the assurances.”

Thinley also asked the yet-to-be formed Tobgay’s government to bring about a lasting solution to the long awaited problem that has displaced over one sixth of its population and deprived several thousand from their rights voting franchise.

The PDP won 32 seats out of 47 during the second general election on July 13, empowering Tobgay to be sworn as the country’s new Prime Minister. A highly placed source has disclosed that if everything goes as per the plan, the Harvard alumni will be sworn as as 14th Prime Minister on July 23.

Subsidy For PDP’s New Government

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With the PDP declared victorious having secured a clear majority to form the next government, Delhi is making concession to resume the “special friendship” with Tshering Tobgay’s government. Already assured of the continued assistance for the 11th plan, Tshering Tobgay is sure to make his first official visit to Delhi, as invited by the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh.

Tshering Tobgay is much more progressive and smart in his intellect, recollects one foreign journalist who met Tshering Tobgay some years ago in Bhutan.  Yes, Tshering Tobgay came from a common ground of Haa having not much of the aristocratic décor like that of JYT or Yeshey Zimba or even a Lhotshamp, Mr. Om Pradhan.

His voice, reflected in his blog, against ill-intended legislation like the Tobacco control act, Pedestrian day or the Right to Information bill, the land scam are some value added milestones in his political career, as smallest opposition.

Now, it is the time for PDP to mend the fences. India’s media have sufficiently portrayed a strained relationship between Bhutan and India, just at the time of election, as if to give a threatening blow to DPT and its boss, Jigmi Y Thinley. The result came as desired. Never before Indian media had hyped this relationship so much and raised issue of subsidy or Chukha tariff, although petroleum price hikes did take place.

The timing of the events is too precariously coincided that JYT is subjected to scrutiny by all educated voters. Indian media broadcasting the PLA camps in Bhutan, phasing out of subsidy on LPG and kerosene and reversing the Chukha tariff agreement are some tactics used by India during election which made the Indo-Bhutan relation turn sour  even further. Therefore the new PDP government has the ball in their court to ease out this strained Indio-Bhutan relation as well as keep a balance with China in protecting Bhutan’s sovereignty.

At the same time,  there are promises to keep that Tshering Tobgay spelled out during his campaign. The idea of emergency helicopters, investing more on health care, the census and citizenship issue in the south are what he tried to cash on his voters. The bridge over Maukhola (mistaken to be Mao-khola) was in the hit list of debate in the former parliament, while MP Prem Kumar Gurung was a total loser in this game.

Tshering Tobgay has the challenge to keep equidistant from the two giant neighbors, draw up a better foreign policy for Bhutan and realize the precepts of GNH pillars for all sections of Bhutanese population if the motto of wangtse chirphel is what he meant.

Bhutanese Diaspora Strategy – The Way Ahead

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Do We Need a Common Diaspora Strategy?

Tika - July 2013The question seeks a positive answer, YES. While the communities resettled in the west are undergoing a massive transition in social and economic life-style, the communities in Bhutan are experiencing a blotchy political transformation not controlled by their judgment of thinking or use of franchise, but simply oriented to change. Both sides require a tandem of coherent strategies to move forward with intelligent inputs and secured heritage for the generations to come. The following text is an attempt to throw light on prospecting yet conflicting conditioning of common future for the Bhutanese Diaspora.

Looking back into 2012 and earlier there are reasons to recount moments of joy, transformation and vitality into thinking and actions of Bhutanese Diaspora community. These memorable moments radiate energy propelling further consolidation and providing rays of hope for doing better in 2013 and further with a right action strategy. Among these thought engendering ideas stands one that merits serious reflection for long term vision in the Bhutanese Diaspora. I would call it a strategic move, with an operational strategy distinct from the past where there had been many desperate and uncoordinated efforts. The past efforts were full of downturn and disjointed efforts by leaders and communities without strong support base and without serious common platforms and actions for follow through. In essence, we are not able to contribute meaningfully neither in consolidating the Diaspora strength nor assisting Bhutan in shaping its young democracy and various development efforts. It is the time to reflect-either we would continue leading the same path or would like to be more effective in reshaping our communities in Bhutan and abroad.

My main reason in raising this point for discussion is to make us aware that history is important and we should look back to learn from our origin and heritage. But it is more important to look forward in building a future that is stable, fulfilling and will lead us in a right path. Visionary leaders like Jawahar Lal Nehru made this point clear that if we were only to look backwards we would rather have eyes at our back.

The biggest and the most difficult challenge right now is that people project varied opinions on every aspect and there is no unison of voice and opinion on any substantive issues. Instead of going tangent, these desperate opinions should converge and give one voice or similar voices so that the readers and listeners of our problem and grievances can see a direction and coherence in what we are talking about. There is lack of consistency without substantive evidence. We have to realize that we all cannot be leaders. We select group of visionary leaders who can capitalize on the potential in our people and bring people together. We need not one leader but many and trusted leaders on who people can count during times of need and when situation demands.

We need to select and create a cadre of this group who would bring out a good and right voice for the people and lead them to the right direction. We need people who are dedicated to the cause of Bhutanese movement and with a right purpose. There is strong need for grooming the younger generation of leaders who are aspiring and keen on taking responsibilities. We also need to bring equity in our thoughts and actions incorporating giving voice and credence to those mostly unheard in the past like women, youth, disabled, and other marginalized groups.

Once we have a cadre of leaders with right calibre and motivation, then we need to identify the right purpose and objective of the movement. We need to work together by harnessing strength and qualities that different people in the diaspora communities possess. There is a need for identification and recognition of people who could contribute in a particular area and link it up with other available resources. Community strength will be built as we would have a large pool of talents. We need to work together with a unified voice against a currently existing fragmented approach. Analyzing Bhutanese movement history, we need to recognize and appreciate positive contributions leaders and community members made so far. We can move forward strategically only if we build on what we have. Appreciation of past effort and building on it further by looking forward is important.

The current trend of divisions based on party-line fragmentation, conflict in approach would lead us anywhere or nowhere. We need to compromise, base our strategy on the current context of the community development that is taking place in the Diaspora, in Bhutan and other countries, change in information technology, contextual reality in the countries where Bhutanese are settled and based on what we would be able to do. I would call this consolidation of strength and developing plans for moving forward in a compromised, unified and dedicated approach. We need to identify longer term vision and strategy based on realistic and SMART goals.

Build strength and capacity of people at various levels through dialogue, engagement in community service, encouraging skill up-gradation and further studies, research, writing and network with like-minded people. Building capacities and leadership of younger generation is critical at this point. Another missing element among the Bhutanese Diaspora is trust among people, honesty in the deeds, inter and intra-community connection, nurturing relationship through proper networking, and working with others. There is much learning as well as de-learning. I would emphasize de-learning as we need to re-evaluate our mission and purpose in life based on the contextual realities in these developed countries, start shedding off negative thoughts and behaviours as that is not consistent with the western beliefs, values and positive way of living. We need to create a support system that identifies talents, encourages positive contribution and helps to solve problems. We have to assist building communities and create opportunities that has place for every one based on the rationale of equality of human beings. All change begins within us and not outside, in our dreams, visions, and values.

The writer is one of the contributing editors of Bhutan News Service. He lives in Winnipeg and works as career coach and facilitator at Manitoba. He can be reached at [email protected]

One nation, one people pie: A treat tested bitter

Padam Rizal
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One nation, one people pie: A treat tested bitter

“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world…would do this, it would change the earth.” William Faulkner

Dagapela Series IV

By January 1980 Dagapela residents had completed their contribution to Jharlangi (a form of conscripted labor) carrying back-breaking loads from Damphu or Kalikhola, for building wireless station, Basic Health staff quarter, Namchela and Goshi (primary block) school, police staff quarter, suspension bridge in Daga river, agriculture extension center, animal husbandry center and were carrying building materials for Powgang and Dokap school buildings. Over 50% of the time of male member of a family went on to contributing to Jharlangi.

When the news of Chirang–Daga Dzong road construction traversing through Dagapela reached to the public, they celebrated with jubilation thinking that the burden of carrying load on their back would end. The good news came with additional nuance that Jharlangi, which erstwhile was limited to head of household was changed to each head, counting all male members of family sixteen years and older. The reason behind the change was to expedite the construction work to complete the road by 1982 and observe National Day celebration in Daga Dzong. There was no chance to question the supreme order, to which the people relented. On April 28, 1980 the then Home Minister, Lyonpo Tamji Jagar inaugurated the Damphu-Daga road.The construction began from Damphu passed through Tshokana, Tintaley Bhiri, Sunkosh River, Neopaney Bhir, Budechhu Simsarii, Batashey Bhir, Tashidin Simsar, Tara Bhir and finally reached Daga Dzong.

Pema Sherpa, Tara Bir Rai and three others lost their lives while tearing through Neopaney, Batasey and Tara Bhir. To remember those brave men, the rocky cliff standing west to Khagochen village was named Tara Bhir, where Tara Bir Rai lost his life. The construction didn’t progress as planned because of rocky terrain, extreme weather conditions and unstable soil. So the finishing deadline postponed to 1983 and thus National Day celebration in Daga Dzong was scheduled for December 17, 1983. During this road construction, each individual of Dagapela community contributed fifteen days labor per year for three years consecutively.

Upon completion of this road connecting Dagana with Damphu, grand National Day celebration was planned for December 17,1983. The plan included that most of the entourage would travel by road to Daga Dzong, whereas King Jigme Singye Wangchuk would land in Daga Dzong on a helicopter on December 16th, observe National Day in Daga Dzong on December 17th and while returning King would also travel by car and stop in Dagapela on December 18th. Preparation began months ahead; songs and dances and drills began in all schools across Dagapela. Community members contributed Jharlangi to level the paddy field of K.B. Dahal at Suntoley danda and mobilized construction materials to build a temporary rest house to host the entourage. They leveled the ground, built bamboo structures and covered with pine leaves for the monarch to tread at. Every houses of Dagapela contributed rice, butter, meat products and vegetables whatever they could to feed the cohorts. Goshi bazar community donated cash and materials.

The itinerary ran as planned; the entourage arrived Suntoley danda at 11:00 AM on December 18, 1983. About 8,000 people gathered from across Dagapela and some from as far as Lamidara and Kalikhola sub divisions to see the king. The Hindus believe King to be the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu and the Buddhist believe the king as Avalokitesvara. Both faith welcomed the King in Suntoley danda; Pancha Kanya offered garland and bouquets of flower, gurus chanted Swasti Bachaniii Dagapelians showered the King with garland and gifts in a godly treat. The king Jigme Singye Wangchuk’s brief speech followed cultural program and a public luncheon. The entourage left Suntoley danda at 2:00PM, people took the soil, pine leaves from the ground considering Vishnu Pad (foot of Lord Vishnu) had touched it and kept it in an alter where they prayed every day.

Uncommon command
Goshi was the only Junior High School in Dagapela sub division, other schools were Primary Schools. Weeks before the scheduled National Day, Headmaster K. G Nair received order from Officer of Royal Body Guard assigned to monitor the National Day preparation. The headmaster was told to submit the list of senior girls from Goshi School to be assigned to serve (meant for sex) the entourage. Dagapela had 99.98% Nepali speaking community; offering girls for sex before formal marriage was against the Hindu culture. Moreover sending students through school was against professional ethics. So, K G Nair declined to send girls, and thus he saved them earning a bad reputation for himself in the eyes of officials. Though Dagapela had not served entourage before but they had heard enough stories of assigning girls to serve the entourage in Homa Khola, where King Jigme Singye Wangchuk use to frequent for recreational hunting. Stories of local people’s representative harassed /punished by entourage for not arranging local girls for sex was live.

The plan was unlikely to channel through Dungpa Harka Gurung, Mondals and Member because all were Nepali speaking; it was culturally inappropriate. So, the Royal Guard choose to succeed his plan privately using retired security personnel., He arranged fourteen village girls from Tashidin, Suntoley and Goshi block to serve the entourage.

As a punishment for not sending school girls to entertain the entourage, headmaster K. G Nair was transferred and his citizenship through naturalization was withheld for five years. Mr. K G Nair was granted citizenship in May 1990 after he retired from service. He passed away year later.

Father William Mackey and Ashi Dechen Wangmo Wangchuk were the only two Thimphu based high ranking government officials who had visited Dagapela before the National Day event. It is evident that most of the Thimphu based high ranking officials got first glimpse of Dagana district as well as Dagapela sub division in the National Day celebration entourage in 1983. Then 99.98% Dagapela resident were Nepali speaking citizens. The terraced paddy field, orange and cardamom garden up and down the road from Khagochen to Daga Khola owned by Nepali speaking citizens made Thimphu officials eyes soar. The history speaks the first Nepali settlement began in Dagapela in around 1872 AD and formal settlement process ended in 1945. Even family reunion was not permitted after 1947. Except for three families with outside marriage cases, 99.99% of Dagapela residents were bonafide Bhutanese citizen. Unfortunately, what transpired in Thimphu after National Day celebration in Daga Dzong can be fathomed by reading Bhutan: The Kingdom besieged by Jigme Y Thinley. Let observations and conclusions thereupon remain to the liberty and faculty of reader’s judgment to decide whether Thinley’s narration is an outlay of crime plot or the confession of a murderer.

Dagapela police post had six member force that included four constables-Santa Bir Biswa, Lal Bahadur Gurung, Lal Bahadur Rai and Wangda Duckpa; a Gopa Gum Bahadur Waiba and a Junior Dimpon (floating assignment). In preparation for National Day celebration additional three new recruits Bhanu Adhikari, Chandra Lal Subba and Dil Bahadur Rai were added to Dagapela police force. After the National Day celebration constable Wangda Duckpa and Bhanu Adhikari were transferred, constable Lal Bahadur Gurung and Lal Bahadur Rai and Gopa Gum Bahadur Waiba retired. Constable Janchub and Girchung were deployed in replacement of the ones who retired. Until 1984 Dagapela police had very good relation with the community.

Rogue cop’s rampage
Under One Nation One People Scheme Gopa Passang Tshering from Damphu police force was given last promotion before retirement as Junior Dimpon and sent to Dagapela as a force commander in 1984. He was ethnic Ngalong from Nindokha Dagana, he boasted having close family ties with former Royal Advisory Councillor of Daga Dzong Councilloriv Sonam Dorji, Dago Tshering then Deputy Home Minister and considered himself superior human than all the ethnicities of Bhutan.

Dimpon Passang Tshering built a house at the east end of Goshi bazar, north of police camp. Mandals were forced to impose Jharlangi on public to carry stone, cement and timber to build his private house. Other required construction materials were grabbed from local businesses but never paid. If one visits Goshi bazar today it can still be seen that private house of Passang Tshering, a symbol of injustice, standing at the east end of Goshi bazar. If you smell the wall you will get the odor of the sweat of Dagapela community then, if you pull up an iron nail and watch it close you will see the blood of Ananta Lal Pokhrel, Dhanapati Rizal and other shop keepers of then Goshi bazar turned into rust.

Being drunk on uniform, rampant insulting, harassing, threatening fellow residents were part of his routine activities. Forcefully taking goods and services from local shopkeepers, nonpayment for goods and services were routine practices. In fact it was his typical means of survival. Not only the permanent shopkeepers were the targets, even the villagers who brought few bunches of green vegetables on the market day were looted. Since he was the chief of Dagapela police force, there was no avenue left to lodge complain. There was no written law-what drunken Passang Tshering’s conscience perceived was the law.

Drukpa-Nepali cross breeding farm
After 1985 one of the stall owner of Goshi bazar extended the business towards flesh trade. As it was one of the objectives of One Nation One People policy to encourage Drukpa-Nepali cross breeding, it received good protection and promotion from Dagapela police Chief Passang Tshering. After the departure of Dungpa Harka Gurung and before the permanent placement of Dungpa Thinley there was a period in which a fresh graduate was deployed as officiating Dungpa. As the officiating Dungpa was a sex enthusiast, the flesh trade developed into a full-fledged enterprise. That enterprise not only supplied young women to Dagapela visitors including police chief’s guests it catered women to King Jigme Singye Wangchuk’s entourage during his Daga Dzong visits in 1989 and 1990 too.

Dagapela police post was under the control of District Police Office, Chirang. Police Supervisors from Chirang used to frequent Dagapela post for inspection, upon their stay visiting officers were served with local women for their entertainment (sex). Dagapela Police Chief used to arrange local women for sex for supervising police officer. It was not only ones or tens, scores of innocent young women were lured or forced to offer sex to fulfill government’s cross breeding mission. Then Goshi bazar and surrounding village residents’ present numerous examples of Nepali Chelis forced to cross breed shattering their lives. Among those Nepali chelis half a dozen met untimely death, many landed with father less children, broken family and they are suffering at present.

Passang Tshering retired in 1988. After his retirement his subordinate officer Jugpeon Sangay was given the responsibility of officiating chief of Dagapela police force. Though Passang Tshering retired he settled in Goshi bazar, as his subordinate officer was given officiating status his interference in Dagapela Police Force and atrocities to the community continued for a long time.

Footnotes:
iCliff
iiMarshes
iiiReligious prayer for peace and well being
ivAdvisor to King representing Daga Dzong residents

Editor’s Note: Padam Rizal is one of the contributing authors at Bhutan News Service (BNS). This piece and/or his opinion doesn’t reflect the official view of BNS

India hails PDP’s victory during NA elections in Bhutan

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India has felicitated the victory of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its President, Tshering Tobgay, achieved during the second general National Assembly election, assuring that India would extend steadfast and unflinching supports towards the Bhutan’s democratic transformation.

Indian Prime Minister Singh
Indian Prime Minister Singh

“I would like to avail of this opportunity to assure you (Tshering Tobgay) of the steadfast and unflinching support of India and its citizens for the steady steps that Bhutan is taking to further strengthen democratic processes and institutions,” said Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, in a felicitation letter addressed to PDP President Tobgay on Saturday.

According to PM Singh, India has been a privileged partner of Bhutan and its people in their socio-economic progress and development.

“Our bilateral ties are anchored in a strong foundation of trust, mutual confidence and understanding,” added the Indian Prime Minister.

He further said, “I wish to reiterate India’s undiminished commitment to Bhutan in preserving these unique and special traditional ties. India is, and will remain, sensitive to Bhutan and its interests.”

The Prime Minister, who has accepted Indo-Bhutan relations as “exemplary”, mentioned that those relations have been carefully nurtured and fostered over many decades with the guidance and vision of kings of Bhutan, and constructive cooperation of Indian governments.

“We look forward to working with you and your colleagues to further enhance our cooperation for the benefit of the people of both our countries,” added Prime Minister Singh. PM Singh has also invited Tobgay to visit India.

Arizona part of study on suicides among Bhutanese refugees

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A federal report is recommending more mental health services for refugees from Bhutan, who have a higher than average rate of suicide.

The annual suicide rate among Bhutanese refugees resettled in the United States was calculated by investigators of the recent federal report as 21.5 per 100,000; the annual suicide rate for U.S. residents is 12.4 per 100,000

Nearly 3,000 Bhutanese refugees have resettled in Arizona since 2008, according to state data. Tucson is one of the communities where a large concentration of the Bhutanese refugees resettled.

Bhutanese of Nepali origin, mainly Hindu, began fleeing Bhutan in the 1990s due to persecution and violence. Many of them spent years living in refugee camps in Nepal before moving to the United States and other countries.

During the period of February 2009 to February 2012, the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported 16 suicides among the approximately 57,000 Bhutanese refugees who resettled in the United States since 2008. Four additional suicides by Bhutanese refugees have been documented since February 2012, the report says.

In collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Refugee Health Technical Assistance Center, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a survey of randomly selected Bhutanese refugees in four U.S. states with large populations of resettled refugees to identify risk factors that might be associated with ideas of suicide. The four states were Arizona, Georgia, New York, and Texas.

The survey findings suggest that Bhutanese refugees who have resettled in the U.S. could have a high burden of undiagnosed mental illness.

The study says mental-health services should be considered one of the priorities in the service package for refugees arriving in the United States.

Programs to address challenges such as job and language training should consider adding social-support and mental-health components, the report says. One of the factors contributing to the suicides was an inability to find work, the data shows.

The report also says refugee communities and service providers might benefit from additional suicide-awareness training to identify those at highest risk and greatest need for early intervention.

Adopted from the Arizona Daily Star

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