Following camp consolidation, the current population of three Beldangi camps almost stands as initial population that the camps had in early 1990s. The Chief of Camp Watch Team (CWT), Sanchahaang Subba, has stressed that the increase in population has changed overall dynamics of the camps one more time. According to him, maintaining peace and order in three Beldangi camps is very challenging these days. Regional Coordinator of the Bhutan News Service, Tilak Niraula, talked to him on various challenges facing the CTW and other issues.
What is the current camps’ situation?
It is obvious to all that the population of three Beldangi camps has increased one more time since we received fellow refugees from Khudunabari, Timai and Goldhap camps. More population means added efforts for efficient management. The Camp Watch Team (CWT) has to primarily maintain peace and order in three camps, and it is quite challenging.
What are those challenges?
The challenges are more complex when one of the world’s largest resettlement programs has been underway in our camps. I have noticed that sometimes refugees, who are to depart for resettlement, become problematic to manage as their younger ones try to get engaged in various forms of entertainments right before their departures. Our team has been more vigil to control such youths during nights. We are very cautious to prevent probable gang-fights and disputes provoked by use of alcohols among youngsters.
How have you been overcoming them?
The sole efforts of CWT would be nowhere in maintaining peace and order in the camp had there been no supports from other parties. We are working closely with various camp-based organizations and number of community volunteers.
How are you discouraging youths from alcoholism?
The CTW has its own method of discouraging youths from using various alcoholic products. If any CWT team on petrol finds drunken refugees in camps, it brings them to our counseling office, where they will be asked to drink jugs of water so that they vomit what they have drunk completely. Then, we call their guardians or spouses and handover them after necessary counseling and warning to avoid repetition in future.
Some youths accuse you of being too arrogant in handling their cases?
I don’t think that I have crossed my limit. When we work for community, it is certain that everyone will not be satisfied with what we do. But, I believe that I am working with proper principles. This is why I have been receiving amazing support and solidarity from the community.
How do you handle complicated cases?
When cases become complicated or sensitive on various grounds, we forward those cases to either the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or Armed Police Force (APF) for necessary actions. This has been in practice for a longtime. Here, sensitive cases are those connected to sexual and gender based violence.
Your last message to the community.
I would like to request everyone to be sincere principally and accepts that all human beings are social animals. We must promote peace and order in our community. However, we should never forget that we are in a democratic country where we have several rights to exercise, but without harming others. Indeed, refugees have rights to opt any options and it is up to them to choose resettlement, repatriation or local assimilation.
