In 1998, the government fired 219 civil servants, mostly Southern Bhutanese, many of whom were related to pro-democracy activists. The Drukpa Kagyu sect of Mahayana Buddhism is the official state religion. During a 1997 crackdown on pro-democracy activists, authorities reportedly closed 13 monasteries of the Nyingmpa school of Buddhism that is practiced by most Sarchops. Independent trade unions and strikes are de facto illegal. Villagers are often forced to contribute voluntary labor for infrastructure projects.
Property rights are limited.
In recent years the Bhutanese government has resettled some northern Bhutanese on land belonging to refugees.