Jhapa, January 9:

Bhutanese human rights activist and leader, Tek Nath Rijal, today assured the Bhutanese refugees of their safe repatriation to their native Bhutan.

Speaking at a Khudunabari-based refugee camp in Jhapa, Rijal said: “I assure you that you’ll return to Bhutan. But for this I need your help.”

He was addressing the refugees for the first time after his release from a Bhutanese jail five years ago.

Urging the refugees to stay in the camps peacefully and obediently, he called on them neither to take Nepali citizenship certificates, nor to buy land in Nepal.

He appealed to the government of Nepal to internationalise the refugee problem and end talks with Bhutan on all refugee-related issues.

About the sit-in programme being organised here by the Bhutanese refugees since December 28, he said: “Our organisation favours this programme. It should be continued.”

Rijal also urged the students and youths to join the movement.

“The programme to send the refugees back home will be made public after consultations with the Bhutanese political parties and organisations,” Rijal added, for which, Bhutanese organisations and parties were working together.

Speaking at the same programme, Thinle Pinjor, coordinator of National Front For Democracy, said: “Different organisations and political parties formed in exile are working together for the return of the refugees as well.”

Rijal will visit all the refugee camps located at different place in Jhapa and Morang for extensive consultations on repatriation.

He will be back in Kathmandu after fixing some programmes for the same purpose, Bal Ram Poudel, chairman of Bhutan People’s Party, said.

Pasang Bhunjel and Shyam Dahal also addressed the programme.