Bhutanese refugee murdered in US

DAMAK: Bhutanese refugees languishing in various camps in eastern districts are scared after one of the Bhutanese, who had gone to the US recently, was murdered there last night. Harilal Adhikari, 21, who reached the US under a refugee resettlement programme, was shot dead in Jacksonville city of Florida.

“His dream of a better life in the US has been shattered,” said Padamlal, Harilal’s brother. The news has grown security fears among those who would be leaving shortly for the dream country. Padamlal, who has been taking refuge at Beldangi camp in Jhapa for the last 12 years, said they were mourning Harilal’s death. Harilal left the camp in March for US with his four-member family.

Adhikari was shot dead in the courtyard of a Southside Apartment Complex where he had been living with his family members, Florida-based media quoted local police as saying. Police said the motive behind the murder was yet to be known and no suspect was arrested in connection with the same.

According to Sgt Shawn Coarsey of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, witnesses said a man walked up and shot him in the courtyard of Stonemont Village Apartments, located near Philips Highway and Belair Road, north of Emerson Street. Adhikari was pronounced dead in the courtyard after Jacksonville Fire and Rescue responded. Coarsey said the shooter had run off. Police were canvassing the apartment complex hours later, the reports added.