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>>A View from Nepal
>>The Struggle for Tibetans in Nepal- by Ngawang Tenpa Ratutsang 4/1/05
My meeting with Mr. Jigme Wangdu (2nd Jan. 2006 ), The Secretary of the Representative Office (RO) here in Kathmandu confirmed that we are not just vulnerable but also held hostage in Nepal. Although, during King Birendra Dalai Lama is banned to enter Nepal, but under King Gyanendra we are at check-mate situation. People’s Republic of China is the key player and Nepal has proved a typical puppet regime in the region. Despite Nepal being the signatory of the UN, Nepal continues to subjugate Tibetans upon PRC request.
Jigme la says: Do you know there are at least 30 spies in Nepal watching over us. ONE DAY notice is the way to go to organize any event. More than one day gets the information to the PRC Embassy here and in turn Police comes to carry out the PRC request to stop the event. Although International communities here do support us but Nepal is not anymore Nepal, it is Chinese-Nepal. We are helpless. He added: ever since the closure of the RO, we have no Representative like it used to be and remaining few staff are just a coordinator, coordinating recent arrivees and perform minor duties. RO is officially non-existent as of now.
Tibetans in Nepal are being tackled by the PRC. When Foreign Minister of Nepal, Mr. Ramesh Nath Pandey visited Beijing this year and came back with gift money of 75 crores of rupees toward military aid. He roars in front of the International dignitaries that Nepal will not tolerate any activities against PRC from Nepali soil. They celebrated the 50th anniversary of friendship of the two nations. Issuance of Travel documents to Tibetans, stopped, no refugee registration and no celebration of any kind. Tibetans in Nepal are stuck.
There are many Tibetans in Nepal who built homes and operate business by securing Nepali Citizenship with bribe. Police are harassing and asking for bribes from the rich Tibetans or else they will be put under scrutiny. Employment for Tibetans is not possible unless some one has the Nepali citizenship. Bribing their way to get things done is the only alley to achieve anything.
General Tibetan mood in Nepal is very depressing. Since there is no progress on Tibet issue, people are loosing faith on administration. US resettlement program is a great vent to escape the situation and people are in a frenzy over it. The vast majority believes only the selected nears and dears will go this time again, is the way how Tibetans think here. People don’t know where to turn to. Everybody seems to be busy to get away somehow and the Tibetan national cause is losing its way at the moment in Nepal.
In short, Nepal is not anymore safe place for Tibetans and moving out is the only solution. I propose New Tibet to keep our struggle alive.
Ngawang Tenpa Ratutsang / Bhod Gyalo
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