The Government which claims of corruption free administrative system backed by efficient administrators, loyal people and able security forces, has not spared them in the hour of need. The given instances aptly justify the governments rewarded for sincerity and honesty to the people by giving judgement of medieval periods.
The maternal uncle of the Queens, Wangdi Gyeltshen in 1988 wanted to acquire three acres of public grazing land in Chapai village in Haa district. The land was jointly owned by about thirty households. On getting unfavourable response from the villagers, Wangdi Gyeltslan approached the Queens to intervene and the four sisters put up the matter to the king. The king issued orders to release the land to Wangdi Gyeltshen. The villagers petitioned the king and the High Court was ordered to investigate and settle the case. A jury comprising of Chief Justice Dasho Paljore Dorji, as Judges Colonel Gyem Tshering, Major Pem Tshering, Tshewang Penjore, Lam Sangna, D. N. Katwal, H. Humagai, Jigme Wangdi, K. B. Ghalley and Sangey Dorji, after examining the case, gave their vertex in favour of the villagers. An agreement to this effect was drawn up and signed by the Chief Justice, Colonel Gyem Tshering, Major Pem Tshering, Tshewang Penjore, H. Humagai and Lam Sangna. On receipt of the report, the king got furious that his 'royal command' was not honoured. The Chief Justice was suspended and the other members of the jury who were signatories to the agreement were terminated from their services. Six persons including Drimpon Lengo and Drimpon Naku from among the thirty petitioning households were sentenced to six years in prison and sent to Gasa (a remote district) to serve their sentence. When the southern problem started in 1989, they were released. However, the land is now owned by Wangdi Gyeltshen.
There is a limit to everything, the exceed of which is beyond anybody’s liking and appreciation leads to a disaster. The Chirang Thrimpon (district judge) Chapchap Rinchen Dorji, was authorised the sale of seized property in Southern Bhutan at an under-priced value of Nu. 4000 per acre on the orders of higher authorities in Thimphu. The government officials grabbed the opportunity and purchased the land. The distressed villagers lodged complain about the price, it became embarrassing for the authorities to hold the truth anymore. The Thrimpon was held responsible for misappropriating the authority of office and his service was terminated. His case was to be tried by the High Court on misappropriation charges. However, the case never went to the High Court, as the Thrimpon claimed to have the written orders from the Government in his possession. His charges were then automatically dropped.
In Feb 01, 1992, Sonam Drukpa - a royal attendant, had shot dead Mr.Tankanath Pathak, a cow herder who was grazing his herd by the roadside in Chirang. The Chief of Police was sent to investigate the case after being briefed by the Chief of Army. When he returned and filed the report on his findings, the bodyguard, policeman Ngawang Choeda - a Sharchop, who was assigned to Sonam Drukpa was charged with murder and sentenced to twelve years in prison.
The problems in Bhutan are mainly the makings of the new royal family. In Punakha district, some villagers were compelled to sell their lands to the father-in-law of His Majesty, at compensatory prices for the building of palaces for new royal family. Some villagers refused while other petitioned the queens for empathy. Those who did so were imprisoned. The lands now belong to the queens and even the water supply to the adjacent village households have also been cut off for use in the palaces.
There are people who live in abject misery and over 3000 land-less families have been promised land for settlement but this promise hasn't yet materialised, whereas a lot of vacant government lands are being handed over to the supporters of the regime.
Goongdang Woola - a system of forced labour is imposed on the people and those who refuse are imprisoned and fined. Some times back, about a hundred families fled Bhutan after they were victimised for refusing to enlist in the army and militia. Their leaders were Kangpara Latshap from Kurtoe, Narphung Khotsa, Kanglung Sek Tala and others were imprisoned. Sek Tala was tied in a sack and thrown alive in the Punakha River. About 300 people from Decheling came back and had to undergo compulsory labour for nine months each as punishment. During the same period, the people of Paro too refused to enlist. Their leader Changa Thouw and 30 others were imprisoned and some fled the country to escape from the royal wrath.
Some 2000 to 3000 Northern Bhutanese, who fled then, now live mostly in parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal and other parts of India and Nepal.
