ABSTRACT
The word Lhotsampa refers to the Nepalis of southern Bhutan, which includes all castes and ethnic groups found in the middle hills and mountain regions of Nepal. Legends have it that the first migration of Nepalis to Bhutan happened along with the entourage of Guru Rimpoche, who came to Bhutan to preach Buddhism in the 8th century. The presence of a large Nepali population in southern Bhutan was reported by some British administrators in the late 19th or early 20th centuries. The refugee exodus in 1990 was triggered by the fear of the Bhutanese army, about whose brutality everyone in Bhutan was aware of. The Lhotshampa refugees community wants an honourable solution, which includes an apology by the Government of Bhutan for the atrocities perpetrated to them and their recognition as Non-Resident Bhutanese, including compensation to them for the loss of life and properties.
