Forward Bloc leader stopped by police on way to Nepal: Party

New Delhi, Jan 19 (UNI) Forward Bloc General Secretary Debabrata Biswas was stopped by the police at the Indo-Nepal border in West Bengal while he was on his way to visit Bhutanese refugee camps in the neighbouring country.

''Comrade Biswas was stopped at Panitanki on the Nepal border while leading a delegation to the refugee camps at Damakh in Nepal,'' a press release issued by party Secretary G Devarajan said, adding that police had also tried to arrest the leader at his arrival at Bagdogra.

The release quoted Mr Biswas as saying the status of the refugees was no longer a bilateral issue between Bhutan and Nepal, and the Indian government should also intervene in the matter, as it also led to social tension in the country. He also expressed concern at the miserable condition of the refugees.

Thwarted in his attempt to proceed to Nepal, the release said the Forward Bloc had held a improptu street meeting and asserted that his party would forcefully raise the issue in Parliament as well as leading a people's movement for the resolution on the issue.

UNI VD HS AS1735