Bhutan cracks down on Ulfa, Bodo militant camps

The Bhutan government has launched military operations against the United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) and Bodo militant camps located in the country.

It has informed the Indian government before doing so. This information was given to Parliament by Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha yesterday.

In an unusual gesture, in the Rajya Sabha, not only was this move applauded by parties cutting across party lines, but also, members demanded that the Bangladesh government take the same step against militants acting on Bangladeshi soil.

Haryana Vikas Party member and former Mizoram governor Swaraj Kaushal named Paresh Baruah, outlawed militant leader, and said the Bangladesh government should take a leaf out of Bhutan's book, go after these leaders and proscribe them.

In his statement, Sinha said the King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuk informed Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of the impending action on December 13.

He said the Army had been deployed on the border to prevent militants reacting to Bhutanese military pressure and running back into India.

The Assam and West Bengal governments, which were affected by this action, had also been alerted and were cooperating, the minister said.

"The Royal Government of Bhutan has always assured the Government of India that it will not allow its territory to be used for activities inimical to India's interests. The launch of operations against Indian insurgent groups in Bhutan has struck a blow against terrorism and terrorist activity in the entire region," Sinha said.

The move has come after a long process of politico-diplomatic pressure on the Bhutan government, following repeated complaints by the Assam government, including former Governor Gen SK Sinha, that militants from Assam had sanctuary in Bhutan.

The Bhutan government had deflected the issue in the past by denying that there were any camps. However, the current move comes after the spate of Bihari killings in Assam by these groups and stepping up of pressure by India to flush militants out.

Parliament today saw some concern at the possible attacks on Bhutanese vehicles, which ply through Indian territory. There was also concern about the security of the Biharis who might find themselves the target of reprisals.