Inter-ethnic tensions in Bhutan have resulted in the flight of many Lhotshampa to Nepal, their country of origin, many of whom have been expelled by the Bhutanese military.
Several high-profile individuals have been investigated and arrested in connection with the scheme, which involved facilitating fake refugee claims in exchange for millions of Rupees.
[2] UNHRC camps in eastern Nepal received about 6000 refugees from Bhutan at the height of the conflict but the number shot up in the following years reaching over 1,00,000 by the end of 1993.
[4] The Lhotshampa or Lhotsampa (Nepali: ल्होत्साम्पा; Tibetan: ལྷོ་མཚམས་པ་, Wylie: lho-mtshams-pa) population is a heterogeneous Bhutanese people of Nepalese descent.
Mostly Hindu people of Nepalese origin began to settle in uninhabited areas in southern Bhutan in the 19th century.
[6] The Bhutanese monarchy and ruling elite viewed their growing numbers and cultural distinctiveness as a potential threat to national unity.
[6] Lhotsampa students were educated alongside Drukpa Schoolchildren and provided scholarships to study abroad in countries like the UK and Japan, the economic activities and infrastructure investment were mainly concentrated in the south.
"[11] For further information, Bhutanese Citizenship Act 1958 The Southern Part of Bhutan however did not consist merely of bona fide citizens.
[13] In 1990, violent ethnic unrest and anti-government protests erupted in southern Bhutan, demanding greater democracy and respect for minority rights.
[14] Similarly, The Gewog Yargay Tshogchung (GYT) was set up in 1991 to support local development by giving communities more control over decisions that affect them.
It helps people plan and carry out projects that suit their needs, encourages practical solutions, and strengthens local governance for long-term growth.
[15][16] That year, the Bhutan Peoples' Party, whose members are mostly Lhotshampa, launched a campaign of violence against the Bhutanese government.
[4] The Lhotshampa faced a brutal response from the government, which included the raping of women and citizens being captured, jailed, and tortured.
[17] In the wake of this unrest and violence, thousands of people fled Bhutan, settling in Nepal's seven refugee camps or leaving to find work in India.
[24] Prior to expulsion, the Lhotshampa had held major roles within the Bhutanese government, which included serving as bureaucrats, police officers, and in the army.
[25] Nepal proved to be more receptive to the population and eventually engaged in discussions with Bhutan to try and repatriate the Lhotshampa starting in April 1993.
[29] After the briefing, elderly residents left, the crowd outside turned violent and hurled in, attacking with stones and bamboo sticks, blocking escape routes, and shouting threats.
The mob blocked their exit and began shouting threats, specifically stating that the Bhutanese officials "shouldn't be let out" and that they "should be burned alive.