Bhutan Communist Party (Marxist–Leninist–Maoist)

Communist Party of Bhutan
Founded	April 22, 2003
Ideology	Communism, Marxism–Leninism, Maoism
Political position	Far-left
Politics of Bhutan Political parties Elections

Bhutan

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The Bhutan Communist Party (Marxist–Leninist–Maoist) is a banned political party in Bhutan. The CPB (MLM) calls for a New Democratic Revolution and the overthrow of the Bhutanese monarchy and the House of Wangchuck. Its armed wing is the Bhutan Tiger Force and United Revolutionary Front of Bhutan. It is currently estimated to have 600 to 1000 cadres.

Background

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 have sprung up, including the Communist Party of Bhutan (Marxist–Leninist–Maoist).

Ideology

The CPB (MLM) was formed on April 22, 2003. It was announced on the website of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). Its first act was a Ten-Point Program which it demanded from the government. Its ideology derives from Mao Zedong. They call for the start of a People’s War and a New Democratic Revolution

The group seeks repatriation for the Nepali refugees and the declaration of Bhutan as a ‘sovereign democracy’. The CPB also wants to turn Bhutan into a republic.

Timeline

2003

CPB (MLM) was announced on April 22, 2003 on the website of the CPN (M).

2007

The Royal Bhutan Army defused a bomb planted by the CPB (MLM) in Phuentsholing village, close to the Indian border.

2008

During the transition to constitutional monarchy in 2008, the Maoists rocked Bhutan with five explosions across the country, including one in the capital Thimphu. They also declared the beginning of a 'People's War'.

In March 2008, the Bhutanese police killed five alleged Maoists and arrested seventeen more in various operations in the south. On December 30, 2008 the Maoists ambushed and killed four forest rangers and took their weapons in Singye village, 155 miles away from the capital.

2009

A Bhutanese reporter was arrested on charges of being a Maoist.

2010

During the 16th South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation, security was tightened after threats by the Maoists.

International connections

The Bhutanese Maoists have connections with the Nepalese Maoists, who they consider to be their inspiration.

The CPB have also formed links with the Indian North-East rebels such as the ULFA and NDFB and receive training, including bomb-making.

They've formed links with the Naxalites of India.

See also

• List of political parties in Bhutan
• Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)
• Communist Party of India (Maoist)
• Nepalese Civil War
• Insurgency in Northeast India