The Bodo & Ulfa Problem

Bhutan Bodo & Ulfa Conflict India and Bhutan are in close cooperation on militant problem (September 2003)

Bhutan's militia at Training

India and Bhutan share a serious security concern. As the highest leaders of the two countries held close consultations during His Majesty the King's state visit to New Delhi .

Prince Dasho Khesar joined militia meeting

As close friends and allies, they would not allow their territories to be used by anyone for carrying out activities that were harmful to each other's national interests.

During HM's meetings with India's President, Prime Minister , Deputy Prime Minister, ministers, government officials and the Indian army chief His Majesty the King briefed them on the presence of the ULFA and NDFB militants from Assam and the KLO from West Bengal. 99 percent of the rations for all the camps inside Bhutan as well as weapons and equipment were being brought across the border from West Bengal and Assam.

Having come illegally into the country because of problems in their own states, the ULFA had secretly established nine camps, the NDFB eight camps, and the KLO four camps without the Bhutanese government being aware of these developments.

	"Having come illegally into the country because of problems in their own states, the ULFA had secretly established nine camps, the NDFB eight camps, and the KLO four camps without the Bhutanese government being aware of these developments".
	"The continued presence of these armed militants undermines Bhutan's security while their goals and activities in Assam and West Bengal are a threat to India's peace and territorial integrity".
	"Our policy has always been to try and resolve the problem through a process of dialogue, not only because it is the best way to solve any problem, but because it is very important for Bhutan to maintain good relations with Assam and West Bengal".
	"We want them to close down the camps and leave our country. We would really like to give the process of dialogue a good chance to succeed".
	What is important for all of us to understand is that the government of India and the government of Bhutan have been working very closely together, and we have been working very hard, over the last few years to resolve this problem.

Although the media gave the impression that the militants were living in the towns and villages of Bhutan, the truth was that they were camped deep in the dense jungles with their locations strategically selected. It was not possible for anyone to police the rugged terrain with its steep ridges, tropical forests, and many rivers.
While the press had reported that the government had turned a blind eye to the presence of the militants and had not taken any action against the militants, His Majesty pointed out that the government of Bhutan had invested substantial funds and taken concrete actions on the issue.

In six years the Royal Bhutan Army had established 20 army camps along the Assam-Bhutan border and posted 5,000 trained troops. Trade, industries, even entire towns inside Bhutan were closed, bringing economic development to a standstill and creating much hardship for the people. The sale of all goods to the militants had been banned and Bhutanese people helping the militants in any way were being punished under the national security Act.

In August 2003 the National Assembly took a decision to make one last attempt to invite the leaders of the ULFA, NDFB, and KLO militants for talks. The Bhutanese government had already sent written invitations to the militant leaders to come to Bhutan for talks.

The Royal Bhutan Army had always received very close cooperation and assistance from the Indian army. On the militant problem, it was particularly important to maintain close links because Bhutan enjoyed excellent relations with the government of India, the RBA had very close cooperation with the Indian army, and also because the militants came from India.

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