Communist Party of Bhutan (Marxist–Leninist–Maoist)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Communist Party of Bhutan
(Marxist–Leninist–Maoist)
AbbreviationCPB (MLM)
LeaderComrade Umesh
Founded22 April 2003 (2003-04-22)
Armed wingBhutan Tiger Force
Ideology
Political positionFar-left
Party flag
Communist Party of Bhutan Flag.svg

The Communist Party of Bhutan (Marxist–Leninist–Maoist) (abbr. CPB (MLM)) is a banned communist party in Bhutan.[1]

The CPB (MLM) aims to start a New Democratic Revolution and overthrow the Bhutanese monarchy and the House of Wangchuck. Its armed wing is the Bhutan Tiger Force, which had an estimated 600 to 1,000 cadres in 2009.[2] The party's leader uses the nom de guerre Comrade Umesh.[3]

History[]

In the 1990s, Nepali-speaking Bhutanese peoples protested against the Bhutan government for democratization and language reforms. The government forcibly evicted the protesters, where they were put into refugee camps in eastern Nepal. Those who stayed have faced widespread discrimination. Inside the refugee camps, insurgent groups sprung up, including the Communist Party of Bhutan (Marxist–Leninist–Maoist).[4] The CPB (MLM) was formed on 22 April 2003, as announced on the website of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist).[1]

The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) announced the founding of the CPB (MLM) on 22 April 2003.[citation needed]

The Royal Bhutan Army defused a bomb planted by the CPB (MLM) in Phuentsholing village, near the Bhutan–India border, on 25 April 2007.[5]

During Bhutan's transition to a constitutional monarchy in 2008, the CPB (MLM) insurgents rocked Bhutan with five explosions across the country, including one in the capital Thimphu. They also declared the beginning of a "people's war".[6]

In March 2008, Bhutanese police killed five suspected CPB (MLM) insurgents and arrested seventeen more in various operations in the south.[6] The CPB (MLM) ambushed and killed four forest rangers in Singye Dzong on 30 December 2008.[7]

A Bhutanese reporter was arrested in January 2009 after authorities suspected him of being a CPB (MLM) member.[8]

During the 16th South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation, security was tightened after threats by the CPB (MLM).[9]

Ideology[]

Shortly after its founding, the CPB (MLM) released a ten-point program which outlined its demands from the government.[10] The party's ideology is oriented around Marxism–Leninism–Maoism; its cadres hope to start a "people's war" and a "New Democratic Revolution".

The group seeks to repatriate the Lhotshampa refugees and declare Bhutan a "sovereign democracy".[1] The CPB (MLM) also wants to turn Bhutan into a republic.[11]

International connections[]

The CPB (MLM) has close ties to Maoists in neighbouring Nepal, whom the party considers to be its inspiration.[11] The CPB (MLM) also has links to Naxalite rebels in India's northeast, with CPB (MLM) insurgents reportedly being trained by these groups.[12]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Bhutan Assessment 2008". South Asia Terrorist Portal. New Delhi: Institute for Conflict Management. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  2. ^ "The Bhutan Insurgencies". Global Post. 25 August 2009.
  3. ^ "The Bhutan Inssurgencies". The Diplomat. 7 May 2009. Archived from the original on 24 April 2019.
  4. ^ "Bhutan tolerate democracy but not dissent". Reuters. Thomson Reuters. 15 May 2007.
  5. ^ Hussain, Syed (25 April 2007). "Tight security in Bhutan after bomb found in border town". Hinduistan Times. HT Media Limited. Archived from the original on 8 February 2011.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "'Maoists killed by Bhutan police'". BBC News. 12 March 2008.
  7. ^ "Communist guerrillas kill four Bhutanese forest guards". Reuters. Thomson Reuters. 1 January 2009.
  8. ^ "Bhutanese reporter is imprisoned". BBC. BBC News. 22 January 2009.
  9. ^ "Bhutan's problem with Maoist Insurgency Groups?". International Reporter. Media International Limited. 26 March 2010. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011.
  10. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 February 2007. Retrieved 17 April 2006.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b "Rise of Red Army in the last Shrangi-La". Bhutan News Service. Archived from the original on 5 September 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  12. ^ Bhaumik, Subir (14 November 2008). "India-Bhutan rebel links 'exposed'". BBC News. BBC.
Retrieved from ""