DAMAK: National Front for Democracy (NFD), a common forum of Bhutanese political parties in exile, has demanded the government to form a high-level task force to solve the problem of Bhutanese refugees.

Saying that efforts for repatriation of the refugees failed in the past due to the ploy of the Bhutanese government, the NFD also underscored the need to carry out studies, consultations and necessary groundwork to resolve the problem.

"We have been trying for repatriation since 1991. But it couldn't materialise due to non-cooperation of the Indian government," a press release issued by Balaram Paudel, chairman of NFD, stated. Paudel also solicited positive contribution of India to solve the problem.

The NFD has also urged the government to start fresh registration of the refugees, as relief for the refugees is in short supply. It also welcomed the government's announcement to take initiatives to repatriate the refugees at the earliest.

Three political parties -- Bhutan People's Party, Druk National Congress and Bhutan Gorkha Mukti Morcha -- are affiliated to the NFD. It has established its office in Kathmandu to garner support for the repatriation of the refugees.

The repatriation process has been overshadowed after the third county settlement of the refugees.