voice of Southern Border

Issue of concern

His majesty the fourth king put in place the policy of resettlement were the landless people were granted massive share of land in the southern border  which encouraged them to settle there. We also have many big plants established along this southern belt which made the settlement vast.  The southern region is very suitable for large scale development yet for years it has remained at halt. The reasons range from jeopardy to one’s life to burglary of possession, kidnapping and so on.

For Bhutanese, the word kidnap is new especially for those living in places other than southern border areas of the country. It might be something they hear it happen in other countries or see it in the movies. But what was just seen in movies in the early days by the Bhutanese is now a traumatic experience for some people. The case is frequent in southern borders of Bhutan and Sarpang Dzongkhag in particular. It has become a fashion for the kidnappers to take away the government official, corporate individuals ,farmers etc, and demand for huge amount of money for the safe return of the victims. 

People living in border areas are now living in a very vulnerable zone.  They live in constant fear of being kidnapped. There were series of kidnapping case over the last few years with the most recent case on ‘August 7, 2014  in Sarpang.’  
There seem to be no clue of what could to be done to solve the issue. The only solution to this as of now is, 'pay the amount the kidnappers had demanded.' I wonder if we are turning deaf and blind to the issue as the number of kidnapping case does not seem to decrease. Or are we complacent to take any action. Or have we run out of options? Isn’t it the concern for policy makers and related institutions for the welfare and safety of people in these areas?? Are we doing anything to prevent such further cases?? Is the issue discussed in any platform??The  above questions are left unanswered for me (maybe I am ignorant).
The issue is a threat to the national sovereignty and security if left unsolved. I heard Prime minister on BBS, say that the government is still discussing with Indian government and security office about the issue which is a good initiation.  But people need the solution sooner than later if possible. While Kidnappers are playing hide and seek game causing threat to lives of fellow countrymen, they are also robbing our  poor farmer’s wealth which they have saved for their children.

Do any of the people living near border area own a licensed gun to defend themselves? I find it more important to own a self defense weapons at least to be little safe. Our factories and entries point need extra security and man power. Shouldn’t people working near entrance point  be given basic training on how to handle weapons?  Or what about providing them with weapons to defend themselves?At the moment, be it government, corporate or private workers, there is fear in living and working in these places. Our security is not taken care and we are not benefited with anything.  Let us all be extra responsible and collectively make the place safer to work and live in. We must come out with a solution.  What if the next victim is your father, cousin, aunt?  Will you be as complacent as you are now? Lets think of those victims as our own family member and put our point to make the issues solved as soon as possible as we are one people of one nation.
At this point, we need a fast but  farsighted solution to this problem otherwise, lives will be lost in the circle of our perplexity.