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Communist Party of Bhutan
(Marxist–Leninist–Maoist)
Communist Party of Bhutan; (Marxist–Leninist–Maoist)
Abbreviation	CPB (MLM)
Leader	Comrade Umesh
Founded	7 November 2001 (informal); 22 April 2003 (announced)
Banned	2003
Armed wing	Bhutan Tiger Force
Ideology	Communism; Marxism–Leninism–Maoism; Republicanism;
Political position	Far-left
Party flag
	Politics of Bhutan; Political parties; Elections;

The Communist Party of Bhutan (Marxist–Leninist–Maoist) (abbr. CPB (MLM)) is an underground communist party in Bhutan.^[1]

The CPB (MLM) aims to start a New Democratic Revolution and overthrow the Bhutanese monarchy and the House of Wangchuck. Its armed wing is the Bhutan Tiger Force, which had an estimated 600 to 1,000 cadres in 2009.^[2] The party's leader uses the nom de guerre Comrade Umesh.^[3]

History

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 sprung up, including the Communist Party of Bhutan (Marxist–Leninist–Maoist).^[4] The CPB (MLM) was announced publicly on 22 April 2003, as stated on the website of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)—now called Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), or CPN(M).^[1]

The Royal Bhutan Army defused a bomb planted by the CPB (MLM) in Phuentsholing village, near the Bhutan–India border, on 25 April 2007.^[5]

During Bhutan's transition to a constitutional monarchy in 2008, the CPB (MLM) insurgents carried out five explosions across Bhutan, including one in the capital Thimphu. They also declared the beginning of a "people's war".^[6]

In March 2008, Bhutanese police killed five suspected CPB (MLM) insurgents and arrested seventeen more in various operations in the south.^[6] The CPB (MLM) ambushed six forest rangers, killing four and wounding two in Singye village, Sarpang District near Sarpang on 30 December 2008.^[7]

A Bhutanese reporter was arrested in January 2009 after authorities suspected him of being a CPB (MLM) member.^[8]

During the 16th South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation, security was tightened after threats by the CPB (MLM).^[9]

Ideology

Shortly after its founding, the CPB (MLM) released a ten-point program which outlined its demands from the government.^[10] The party's ideology is oriented around Marxism–Leninism–Maoism; its cadres hope to start a "people's war" and a "New Democratic Revolution".

The group seeks to repatriate the Lhotshampa refugees and declare Bhutan a "sovereign democracy".^[1] The CPB (MLM) also wants to turn Bhutan into a republic.^[11]

International connections

The CPB (MLM) has close ties to Maoists in neighbouring Nepal, whom the party considers to be its inspiration.^[11] The CPB (MLM) also has links to Naxalite rebels in India's northeast, with CPB (MLM) insurgents reportedly being trained by these groups.^[12]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Bhutan Assessment 2008". South Asia Terrorist Portal. New Delhi: Institute for Conflict Management. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
^ "The Bhutan Insurgencies". Global Post. 25 August 2009. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
^ "The Bhutan Inssurgencies". The Diplomat. 7 May 2009. Archived from the original on 24 April 2019.
^ "Bhutan tolerate democracy but not dissent". Reuters. Thomson Reuters. 15 May 2007. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
^ Hussain, Syed (25 April 2007). "Tight security in Bhutan after bomb found in border town". Hinduistan Times. HT Media Limited. Archived from the original on 8 February 2011.
^ ^a ^b "'Maoists killed by Bhutan police'". BBC News. 12 March 2008. Archived from the original on 17 June 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
^ "Communist guerrillas kill four Bhutanese forest guards". Reuters. Thomson Reuters. 1 January 2009. Archived from the original on 30 August 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
^ "Bhutanese reporter is imprisoned". BBC. BBC News. 22 January 2009. Archived from the original on 25 January 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
^ "Bhutan's problem with Maoist Insurgency Groups?". International Reporter. Media International Limited. 26 March 2010. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011.
^ "BHUTAN: Distribution of Maoist document in refugee camps: Should be cause for concern. Update 30". Archived from the original on 9 February 2007. Retrieved 17 April 2006.
^ ^a ^b "Rise of Red Army in the last Shrangi-La". Bhutan News Service. Archived from the original on 5 September 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
^ Bhaumik, Subir (14 November 2008). "India-Bhutan rebel links 'exposed'". BBC News. BBC. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2009.