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With the recent round of talks in Thimphu between the royal government and the ULFA and NDFB militant groups having failed to produce any positive results and the KLO not even responding to the royal governmentís invitation for dialogue, Bhutan may now have to implement the decision of the 81st session of the National Assembly. According to the Assembly resolution, the government must resort to military action if one final round of negotiations with the militants did not result in their agreement to close the main camps that serve as their central headquarters.According to the home ministry the ULFA delegation, which had come for talks in October, had expressed their inability to decide on closing down their main camp saying that it would mean the closure of all their other camps inside Bhutan. They reasoned that without their central headquarters the rest of the camps would be completely untenable and that leaving Bhutan would be as good as giving up their cause for the independence of Assam.
"The ULFA delegation insisted that their executive council would have to discuss this matter and assured us that their top leadership would come back within the first week of December to convey their decision," said a member of the Bhutanese delegation that held negotiations with the ULFA.
The NDFB delegation, which came for talks with the royal government in the last week of November in Thimphu, had also conveyed that it would not be possible for them to leave Bhutan.
"The NDFB delegation told us that even if they left now because we told them to do so, they would have to come back and establish their camps in other parts of Bhutan," said a member of the Bhutanese delegation. "They said that it is up to Bhutan to weigh its relations with India, a relationship which has been in existence for a little more than 50 years, against the 2,000-year old fraternal relations with the Bodo people. Given such an attitude there is no scope for resolving the problem through dialogue with them."
Meanwhile, as pointed out by officials of the home ministry, several invitations for talks had been sent over the last three years but the KLO had not even taken the trouble to respond.
Speaking to Kuensel the prime minister and home minister, Lyonpo Jigmi Y. Thinley, said that, over the past six years, His Majesty the King and the royal government had made every effort to resolve the problem of the illegal presence of the militants from Assam and West Bengal through peaceful means.
"Since 1998, we have held five rounds of talks with the ULFA and three rounds with the NDFB," said Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley. "As the KLO had refused to respond to our invitation for talks, we sent a delegation led by the chairman of the royal advisory council to meet their middle level leaders in Lhamoizingkha in April this year and asked them to inform their top leaders to come for talks with the royal government.
During the third round of talks in June, 2001, the ULFA had agreed to close down four of their camps inside Bhutan by the end of the year. While four camps were closed down by December 31, 2001, as agreed by them, it had now been confirmed on the ground that these camps had all been relocated. Today, the ULFA had 13 armed military camps inside Bhutan while the NDFB had 12 camps, and the KLO five camps.
"We have always valued the warm and friendly age-old relations between the people of Bhutan and the peoples of Assam and West Bengal who are our immediate neighbours in India," said Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley. "That is why His Majesty the King and the royal government have shown extreme tolerance and patience since the time the militants entered Bhutan clandestinely, 12 years ago, and established their camps, initially without our knowledge. It is common knowledge among the people of Assam and West Bengal that the royal government of Bhutan has spared no effort to persuade the ULFA, NDFB, and KLO militants to leave our country peacefully."
Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley expressed his deep regret that the recent talks with the ULFA and the NDFB had failed to produce any results. Furthermore the top leadership of these two militant groups had refused to come for talks.
"It is with a very heavy heart, but without any choice, that I must admit that the long and arduous process of peaceful dialogue is coming to a close," said the prime minister. "This will leave the royal government no option but to entrust the Royal Bhutan Army with the sacred duty of removing the militants from our sovereign soil in accordance with the decision of the 81st session of the National Assembly."
Kuensel 15 December 2013
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December 20, 2003 - Five days after the launch of operations, Bhutan’s security forces have taken over the camps established in the country by the ULFA, NDFB, and KLO militants. Meanwhile the Bhutanese troops continue their efforts to flush out the Indian militants from the dense forests in the southern districts.While both sides are reported to have suffered casualties, the total number of deaths and injuries are not yet known.
The three separatist groups, which had clandestinely crossed into Bhutan about 12 years ago, had established 30 camps across the southern belt of the country, between Daifam in the east to Samtse in the west. The ULFA had 13 camps, the NDFB 12 camps, and the KLO five camps.
Most of the camps were reported to be well fortified and the 3,000 militants heavily armed. The government has confirmed that, apart from armed women cadres, there were some wives and children of the militant leaders.
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The operations began on December 15, after the government issued a 48-hour notice to the militants. It came after six years of negotiations during which the government tried to persuade the militants to leave Bhutan. “When all efforts at a peaceful solution failed the royal government, in the hopes of avoiding bloodshed, gave the militants 48-hour notice but this too was not heeded by any of the groups,” according to a government press statement this week. “It was, therefore, upon having exhausted all options to find a peaceful solution that the current action was taken.”
Military reports yesterday said that militants were still hiding in Bhutan, unable to flee into India because of the heavy presence of Indian troops along the border. India’s political and military leaders had announced early in the week that they had strengthened troops along the border to “intercept” fleeing militants.
The chief of army staff of the Indian army, General N C Vij, welcomed the move to flush out the militants who had been attacking targets in India. He said that the states of Assam and West Bengal were on “red alert” in case of retaliation by the militants. The general-officer-commanding-in-chief of the Indian army’s eastern command, Lt General J S Varma, also told Indian reporters that the militant leaders, including the ULFA chairman, Arobinda Rajkhowa, and the military chief, Paresh Barua, were hiding in Bangladesh.
The Indian army is providing helicopters to evacuate injured Bhutanese troops to nearby military hospitals.
The government is reported to be in close contact and consultations with the government of India.
On December 15 the announcement of the action against the militants was applauded by both houses of parliament in India. Indian foreign minister, Mr Yashwant Sinha, reported that Bhutan’s action would promote peace, stability, and security in the region and further cement the strong friendship and cooperation between India and Bhutan. “The government and people of India stand firmly and solidly behind the royal government of Bhutan at this critical juncture and would provide all necessary support as requested, until the task is completed,” Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said.
The ULFA is an insurgent outfit which is fighting for the independence of Assam from India, the NDFB is the Bodo group that wants an independent “Boroland” in Assam, and the KLO is a North Bengal-based outfit whose objective is to carve out a separate Kamtapur state from districts in Bengal and Assam. More than 10,000 lives have been lost since the groups began their separatist movements.
The ULFA and NDFB are believed to have moved into the Bhutanese forests in the early 1990s when the Indian army mounted two major operations against them.
“The royal government deeply regrets that the long and arduous process to find a peaceful solution leading to their departure from the country did not yield any fruit after six years of negotiations initiated by the government,” said the government’s official statement. “The government remains confident that the security forces of Bhutan will discharge their responsibility of flushing out the militants from Bhutanese soil which they have forcibly occupied for over 12 years.”
By Kinley Dorji
Bhutanese Army moves to flush out Indian militants
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The prime minister, Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley, told the Bhutanese media this afternoon that the "valiant troops of the RBA" had begun to expel the Indian militants from their camps that were spread across the country's southern region, from Diafam in the east to Samtse in the west. Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley said that, by mid-day, the troops were able to overpower the central command headquarters of the ULFA, located at Phukaptong in Samdrup Jongkhar. This was the main camp of the ULFA which served as their central headquarters. "It is common knowledge for the citizens of Bhutan and, indeed, the people of Assam and West Bengal, that the royal government has exercised extreme patience and tolerance for a peaceful solution," he said. "It is, therefore, regrettable that the three groups refused to leave peacefully."
The relations between the people of Assam, West Bengal and Bhutan should not be hampered
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"The people of Assam and West Bengal, who had been our close friends, are not our enemy," he added. "The relations between the people of Assam, West Bengal and Bhutan should not be hampered by this event." The prime minister appealed to the people not to indulge in "unprincipled news mongering" and rumours because "it could be harmful". This afternoon the Indian foreign minister, Mr. Yashwant Sinha, told the Indian parliament that the government of India strongly supported the military operations launched by the royal government of Bhutan against the Indian insurgent groups. He said the prime minister of India had conveyed to His Majesty the King that the government and the people of India stood firmly and solidly behind Bhutan at this critical juncture and would provide all necessary support, as requested, until the task was completed.
The Indian army was also taking necessary measures to intercept movement of militants from Bhutan into India, he said. He reminded the members of parliament that Bhutan had always assured the government of India that it would not allow its territory to be used for activities inimical to India's interest and added that the launch of military operations against Indian insurgent groups in Bhutan had struck a blow against terrorism and terrorist activities in the region.
The activity would foster peace, stability and security in the region and further cement the strong friendship and cooperation between India and Bhutan, he said.
Army operations continue
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Five days after the launch of operations, Bhutan's security forces have taken over the camps established in the country by the ULFA, NDFB, and KLO militants. Meanwhile the Bhutanese troops continue their efforts to flush out the Indian militants from the dense forests in the southern districts. While both sides are reported to have suffered casualties, the total number of deaths and injuries are not yet known. The three separatist groups, which had clandestinely crossed into Bhutan about 12 years ago, had established 30 camps across the southern belt of the country, between Daifam in the east to Samtse in the west.
Military reports said that militants were still hiding in Bhutan, unable to flee into India because of the heavy presence of Indian troops along the border. India's political and military leaders had announced early in the week that they had strengthened troops along the border to "intercept" fleeing militants.
In Thimphu, the country's capital, the temperature does not rise above 10 degrees and during winter the mercury drops to minus 10 degrees. Up in northern Bhutan, the temperature sometimes drops to minus 20 degrees. "Who would like to fight in that kind of terrain, which is snow covered almost the entire year?" the Director of Foreign Affairs Yashey Dorji asked. "Security is the tightest ever. Everyone, including the visiting mediapersons, are advised not to venture into the markets unless it is absolutely necessary," a policeman posted at the gate in Samdrup Jongkhar on the Indo-Bhutan border said.
Bhutanese Army: Operations progessing as expected
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The Royal Bhutan Army's operation to flush out the three Indian insurgent groups from Bhutan continues, the militants have been dislodged from all 30 camps and the camps burned and razed to the ground, according to a spokesman for the RBA.
A large arsenal of weapons and sophisticated communication equipment was recovered. A senior RBA officer said that more than 500 AK 47/56 assault rifles and 328 other assorted weapons including rocket launchers and mortars, along with more than 100,000 rounds of ammunition, were found or confiscated. An anti-aircraft gun was also found at the site of the GHQ of the ULFA.
Meanwhile the women and children who had been living in the camps - wives and children of senior leaders and cadres of the three insurgent groups - were handed over by the Bhutanese civil authorities to their counterparts from Assam and West Bengal. Earlier this week three injured militants, who were initially treated by the RBA in the military hospital at Deothang, had been evacuated by helicopter for further treatment.
The RBA confirmed that the ULFA had 14 camps: 10 in Samdrup Jongkhar district, three in Sarpang district, and one in lower Zhemgang. The NDFB had 11 camps: four in Sarpang and seven in Samdrup Jongkhar. The KLO had one camp in Samdrup Jongkhar, one in Kalikhola dungkhag, and three in Samtse district.
The RBA spokesman said that the efforts to flush out the militants from Bhutanese soil were progressing as expected.
The prime minister said he was deeply conscious that, as Indian nationals, the members of the insurgent outfits also had kith and kin among the innocent people in Assam and West Bengal. He added that special efforts had been made and taken care to ensure that the women and children did not come to any harm and that they were well taken care of before being handed over to the civilian authorities in Assam. Wounded militants had also been given medical treatment.
The prime minister said he was deeply conscious that, as Indian nationals, the members of the insurgent outfits also had kith and kin among the innocent people in Assam and West Bengal. He added that special efforts had been made and taken care to ensure that the women and children did not come to any harm and that they were well taken care of before being handed over to the civilian authorities in Assam. Wounded militants had also been given medical treatment.
The prime minister described the people of Assam and West Bengal as the age-old fraternal brothers and sisters of the Bhutanese people with whom they had always shared a mutually beneficial socio-economic relationship and a highly cherished fraternity. The prime minister said His Majesty the King desired that the people on both sides of the border could soon return to their daily lives and strive for development and economic progress in a peaceful and stable environment.
RBA makes good progress in flushing out operations
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January 03, 2004
The last of the 30 camps that were established on Bhutanese soil by the three separatist groups from India was burnt down and the operation to flush out the militants who were dislodged from these camps was making good progress, according to Royal Bhutan Army sources. In addition to the 30 camps, 35 observation posts of the militants were destroyed.
The last of the 30 camps that were established on Bhutanese soil by the three separatist groups from India was burnt down and the operation to flush out the militants who were dislodged from these camps was making good progress, according to Royal Bhutan Army sources. In addition to the 30 camps, 35 observation posts of the militants were destroyed.
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Weapons, including an antiaircraft gun (right), ammunition, and communication equipment recovered by the RBA
The ULFA camp at Goburkonda, in lower Zhemgang, was taken over by the RBA three days ago and was burnt down yesterday.
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"The Goburkonda camp, located on the Bhutanese side of the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, was subjected to mortar fire during the operations on December 15 when the operations were carried out against all the camps between Daifam and Samtse," said a senior officer at RBA headquarters. "We had left the physical attack on this ULFA camp for a later date because of a shortage of troops. Now there is not a single camp of the militants inside Bhutanese territory and we are flushing out the remaining militants who escaped from the camps and are hiding in the rugged jungle terrain in the border areas."
The RBA spokesman told the national newspaper "Kuensel" that, among other items, they had recovered three television sets, a generator, and 20 metric tonnes of rice from the Goburkonda camp. He also said that the flushing out operations have resulted in the capture of 24 militants during the past week. While the Royal Bhutan Army would not give any figures of the casualties suffered by both sides the spokesman said that every effort had been made to keep casualties as low as possible.
"Our objective was to remove the presence of the militants and their camps from our soil and we have tried our best to do that with the minimum loss of lives on both sides," he added. "After all, as Indian nationals from Assam and West Bengal, the militants and their kith and kin are our immediate neighbours with whom the Bhutanese people have always enjoyed close fraternal bonds."
The prime minister, Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley, said that the Bhutanese people were most relieved that the situation in most of the security affected areas had been restored to normalcy and paid tribute to the Bhutanese security troops for carrying out the sacred responsibility entrusted to them, as a last resort, with complete dedication. "His Majesty the King has always maintained that the role of the army is not to make war but to keep peace," he said. "Our troops have shown that, under the leadership of His Majesty, they are prepared to defend the security and territorial integrity of the nation with their lives. Today, the Bhutanese people have an overwhelming sense of pride and appreciation for our courageous troops."
The prime minister also expressed the deep appreciation of the government and people of Bhutan for the full support and cooperation extended by India. "All sections of the population of India have been very supportive and I am confident that the excellent relations between the two countries will continue to grow and strengthen."
Meanwhile His Majesty the King returned to Thimphu last Sunday while His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, is visiting the officers and soldiers of the Royal Bhutan Army in the security affected areas.
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December 27, 2003 - As the Royal Bhutan Army’s operation to flush out the three Indian insurgent groups from Bhutan continues, the militants have been dislodged from all 30 camps and the camps burned and razed to the ground, according to a spokesman for the RBA.A large arsenal of weapons and sophisticated communication equipment was recovered. A senior RBA officer told Kuensel that more than 500 AK 47/56 assault rifles and 328 other assorted weapons including rocket launchers and mortars, along with more than 100,000 rounds of ammunition, were found or confiscated. An anti-aircraft gun was also found at the site of the GHQ of the ULFA.
While there were casualties on both sides since the operation began on December 15, the RBA has not released the figures.
Meanwhile the women and children who had been living in the camps – wives and children of senior leaders and cadres of the three insurgent groups - were handed over by the Bhutanese civil authorities to their counterparts from Assam and West Bengal.
Earlier this week three injured militants, who were initially treated by the RBA in the military hospital at Deothang, had been evacuated by helicopter for further treatment.
The RBA confirmed that the ULFA had 14 camps: 10 in Samdrup Jongkhar district, three in Sarpang district, and one in lower Zhemgang. The NDFB had 11 camps: four in Sarpang and seven in Samdrup Jongkhar. The KLO had one camp in Samdrup Jongkhar, one in Kalikhola dungkhag, and three in Samtse district.
The RBA spokesman told Kuensel that the efforts to flush out the militants from Bhutanese soil were progressing as expected. “It is the sacred responsibility of the armed forces of Bhutan to safeguard the security of our country and we have been making efforts to remove the militants from Bhutanese soil as quickly as possible, in keeping with the directives and decisions of the royal government and the National Assembly,” he said. “At the same time the Royal Bhutan Army is very conscious of the fact that the militants are Indian nationals and we have been making every effort to conduct the flushing out operations with the minimum loss of lives on both sides.”
The prime minister, Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley, said that the royal government had made every effort to avoid taking military action. “It was with deepest regret that I had to acknowledge the failure of the prolonged process to find a peaceful solution,” he said. “Giving the responsibility of removing the three Indian insurgent groups from Bhutanese soil to the Royal Bhutan Army was indeed painful. Yet, having exhausted all non military options and endeavours over an extended period of six long years, the implementation of several successive decisions of the National Assembly to exercise the military option could no longer be averted.”
Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley said that the ULFA and the NDFB were extremely obstinate and uncompromising. “They maintained that they could not leave until they had fulfilled the objective of achieving independence from India,” he said. “In effect that meant their perpetual presence in Bhutan. The KLO, which also wants to carve an independent state from India, did not even make the effort to come for talks.”
“Quite clearly, the presence of the separatist groups from India was not only harming the interests of Bhutan but those of our friend and neighbour, India. This is something that no Bhutanese is prepared to tolerate under any circumstances.”
Referring to the casualties including fatalities on both sides, Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley said that it was “most regrettable”. “It could have been avoided had reason and wisdom on the part of the insurgents met with the patience, tolerance and hope that the Bhutanese had shown and harboured.
The prime minister said he was deeply conscious that, as Indian nationals, the members of the insurgent outfits also had kith and kin among the innocent people in Assam and West Bengal. He added that special efforts had been made and taken care to ensure that the women and children did not come to any harm and that they were well taken care of before being handed over to the civilian authorities in Assam. Wounded militants had also been given medical treatment.
The prime minister described the people of Assam and West Bengal as the age-old fraternal brothers and sisters of the Bhutanese people with whom they had always shared a mutually beneficial socio-economic relationship and a highly cherished fraternity. “I hope that the people of India will understand and appreciate the compulsion under which the royal government resorted to the unfortunate course of action that could no longer be avoided,” he said.
The prime minister said His Majesty the King desired that the people on both sides of the border could soon return to their daily lives and strive for development and economic progress in a peaceful and stable environment.
By Kinley Dorji
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