A special squad of Nepal Police from Damak arrested over a dozen of Bhutanese asylum seekers, who were staging a peaceful protest, from Beldangi-II refugee camp this afternoon.
“We are being detained at Damak Police Station,” the group’s Coordinator, Purna Gautam, told Bhutan News Service, from the detention center.
According to Gautam, police intervened into their peaceful protest and seized banners and placards before arresting and loading them in a police van.
“No means will stop our protest for refugee identity,” added Gautam, who also accused the police authority of seizing their mobile phones.
Repeated attempts from the BNS failed to reach out to Inspector Hari Khatiwada for his comments on the arrest.
Some 174 asylum seekers have been demanding recognition of their refugee status, as enjoyed by their fellow countrymen.
