I agreed to the proposal after Rayamajhi solicited my support: Tek Nath Rijal

KATHMANDU: Bhutanese refugees leader Tek Nath Rijal has admitted that he told middlemen he was open to the idea of resettling Nepali citizens in the United States under the guise of Bhutanese refugees as long as the genuine refugees aren’t affected.

Rijal was arrested last week after Sanu Bhandari and Keshav Dulal, who are believed to be the masterminds behind the Bhutanese refugees scam, implicated him. I informed them that I would not object to the resettlement of Nepali citizens after Deputy Prime Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi sought my support,” Rijal added.

“I am aware that Keshav Prasad Dulal, Sanu Bhandari, Ram Sharan KC, Prem Raj Panthi, Dr Indrajit Rai, and Rayamajhi were involved in soliciting money from Nepali citizens by promising them resettlement in the US as Bhutanese refugees,” Rijal informed the police. “When I met them four years ago, they expressed their intention to resettle Bhutanese refugees in camps and a few Nepalys under the guise of Bhutanese refugees in the US, and they sought my support. I told them that the suffering of Bhutanese refugees should come to a complete end. As for the resettlement of Nepalis as Bhutanese refugees, it is beyond my capacity.”

Rijal clarified that he informed the members of the racket that he had no objection to resettling Nepalis in the US as long as it did not adversely affect Bhutanese refugees. “They subsequently discussed the matter with the home minister and home secretary and initiated the process by forming a task force,” Rijal told police.

He also said one Ashok Pokharel, who is currently residing in the US, is also involved in the racket. “These individuals were found to have utilized the money collected from Nepali people for personal business and to provide kickbacks to Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, Indrajit Rai, and the former home secretary Trek Narayan Pandey,” he added.

According to Rijal, they indirectly proposed the resettlement of 100 to 150 Nepalis as Bhutanese refugees.

“I am not aware of these individuals collecting money from Nepalis by promising them resettlement in the US as Bhutanese refugees.”