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The
Bodo & Ulfa Problem |
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Bhutan Bodo & Ulfa Conflict |
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Bhutan's
security must be safeguarded by its people |
Sharing
the views of their fellow citizens in other dzongkhags, the people of Chukha
said they were fully prepared to support military action against the ULFA
and NDFB militants to make them leave Bhutan before they destroyed our
security and well-being as a sovereign, independent nation. Several
representatives of Chukha dzongkhag spoke when the militant issue was discussed
at the Eighth Plan meeting on April 11, expressing their concern and anger
over the illegal presence of the militants in the kingdom, and pledging
their total commitment to the protection of the sovereignty of the country.
Karma, a Tsimalakha businessman, said that since all peaceful efforts to
resolving the militant problem had failed, Bhutan must prepare for an armed
action. The royal government should, in the mean time, stop all development
works and devote all its resources to strengthening its security. "Investing
in new development activities would be pointless since, in the event of
an armed conflict, even the existing development infrastructure and facilities
would be destroyed," he said.
Tashi
Phuntsho of Jabtsho village said that the militants were bent on creating
problems for Bhutan. "We must stop them from causing any further trouble
to our country," he said. Pasturam Sawal of Tala geog felt the prolonged
stay of the militants would only aggravate Bhutan's security problem. "The
sooner they are forced to leave the better," he said. "Otherwise, the problem
could grow out of proportion."
The gup of Dung geog, Pem Dorji, said the
people of Chukha will not waver in their commitment to support the government
in any course of action taken to resolve the problem. Kencho Dorji,
a businessman, pointed out that having taken on the full responsibility
for protecting the security and sovereignty of the country, His Majesty
was risking his precious life by visiting the areas rife with militant
threats. "The people of Chukha would like to plead that His Majesty the
King avoid travelling to the high security risk areas," he said. Briefing
the representatives of Chukha dzongkhag the home Minister, Lyonpo Thinley
Gyamtsho, said that the ngolops and the militants from Assam had disrupted
an unprecedented era of peace and prosperity in Bhutan.
The
most serious security challenge to Bhutan today was posed by the ULFA and
Bodo militants who were illegally camped in Bhutan, according to the home
minister. Bhutan had so far held two rounds of talks with the ULFA and
one round with the NDFB. But the results of the talks were not fruitful.
The militants had stated that they will not leave Bhutan until they had
achieved their objective of independence for Assam.
Since they would never
be able to fulfill their objective, the militants would end up staying
in Bhutan indefinitely. We are losing our hopes in finding
a peaceful solution to the problem and we might be left with no alternative
but to take up military action," Lyonpo Thinley Gyamtsho said. An armed
conflict with the militants would, however, cause immense suffering to
the Bhutanese people in all the 20 dzongkhags. It would not be safe for
Bhutanese people and vehicles to travel through Assam, economic activities
in the country would be disrupted and many Bhutanese lives would be lost.
Armed hostilities with the militants could even affect Bhutan's relations
with Assam. The home minister reminded the meeting that the Bhutanese
people must be ready to protect their country even at the risk of their
own lives. "Our forefathers faced many hardships to protect the country,"
he said. "It is our duty today to safeguard this legacy for our children
by being completely united in thought and action in the service of our
country."
The Lhengye Zhuntshog Chairman, Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba, said that
only the Bhutanese people can safeguard the security and the sovereignty
of their country. Pointing out that a country's true strength lies on the
unity of its people, Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba said that a united Bhutan can
confront challenges even bigger than the security threat posed by the ULFA
and the Bodo militants.
The
Lhengye Zhuntshog Chairman also lauded the exemplary manner in which the
residents of Phuentsholing had dealt with the numerous "peace march" demonstrations
instigated by the ngolops from across the border. "The people of Phuentsholing
have shown the rest of the Bhutanese people a good example of what our
responsibilities should be as the loyal and dedicated citizens of the Kingdom
of Bhutan," he said. |
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Zhemgang
discusses the security situation May
19 , 2001 |
With
the shops and businesses in parts of Zhemgang already closed and
the daily lives of the people affected by the presence of the ULFA
and Bodo militants, representatives of the dzongkhag who attended the
Eighth Plan mid term review meeting on May 12 said that they were
ready to face whatever hardship was necessary to get rid of the militants.
"Since
Zhemgang is directly affected by the proximity of the militants we have
no peace of mind," said Ugyen Dorji of Ngangla gewog. "If we have to resort
to an armed conflict to get rid of the militants we, the people of Zhemgang,
are ready to face the worst situation because our nation's security is
at stake." Living close to the border the people of Zhemgang felt
particularly vulnerable, he added. "It is only because of the protection
of our guardian deities and the personal sacrifices made by His Majesty
the King that we have enjoyed such peace and prosperity," he said.
"Now, at this difficult stage, we must support our King because only he
can ensure the security and sovereignty of our kingdom."
Dorji
Choedup, also of Ngangla geog, said that an armed conflict with the
militants may result in the destruction of homes, roads and bridges, villages
and towns, and the loss of food and cash crops. "But, far beyond that,
we are ready to sacrifice all our possessions and our own lives if
necessary," he said.
Sonam
of Thrisa village in Shingkhar geog said that, while the real conflict
was between the militants and the
Indian government, the Bhutanese
people were already facing serious difficulties and problems. "Our
people have been killed, traveling through Assam is no longer
safe, and trade and businesses have been disrupted," he said. "We
request the Indian government to solve this problem at the political
level. We, the farmers, may not be as well armed and well trained as the
militants but we have a far greater goal : to preserve the security
of the Palden Drukpa."
Yonten
of Womling village said that the people were concerned because they heard
that His Majesty was risking his safety by travelling to the affected areas.
"We would like to plead that His Majesty does not take such risks because
the solution to the problem and the future of the nation depends on his
well being."
The
home minister, Lyonpo Thinley Gyamtsho, who briefed the meeting on the
background and implications of the militant problem, said it was
encouraging that the people of Zhemgang, like their compatriots around
the country, understood the magnitude of the problem and were willing
to sacrifice their material belongings and even their lives to protect
their nation. Just as the people had suggested the royal government, he
said, was in close touch with the government of India to find a solution
to the problem which was of serious concern to both countries. He
said he was confident that the age old friendship and the complete
understanding between the two countries would enable the two governemnts
to deal with the problem successfully.
The home minister informed
the people of Zhemgang that the government will make every effort
to look after the kidu and well being of the people in case of an
armed conflict. "If necessary, we are planning to accommodate the people
of west Panbang in Gelephu and the people in the eastern part of Panbang
like Nganglam, Norbugang, Dechen-choling, Deothang, Martshala and
Gomdar in Trashigang or Pemag-atshel" he explained. He
said that no country in the world allowed armed foreigners on their soil.
Bhutan, a small country with a small population, was more vulnerable than
most. The illegal presence of the ULFA and Bodo militants in Bhutan was
a direct threat to the kingdom's security and had serious implications
on its sovereignty.
The home minister said that the people
of Khenrig Namsum were more aware of the problem than most others
because the four gewogs of Ngangla, Goshing, Phangkhar and Bjokha
fell within Panbang dungkhag which was directly affected by the problem.
Many businesses in the dzongkgag were losed today because the people chose
to sacrifice their income rather than to provide supplies to the
militants. He pointed out that, in the case of an armed conflict,
more than 100 government services and installation would have to
be closed. Twelve dzongkhags would be directly affected and there
would be serious impact economic activities around the country.
Chairman
of the Lhengye Zhungtsho presents the government's security report 2001
Jun
30 , 2001
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Drawing
inspiration from His Majesty the King, the government of Bhutan treads
the path to Gross National Happiness, placing people at the centre of development,
said the chairman of the lhengye zhungtshog, Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba,
as he presented the government's annual report to the National Assembly
yesterday.
The
report was dominated by an overwhelming concern for the kingdom's security.
"National security being an important pre-requisite for stability
and development, it is the most important issue facing the country today,"
Lyonpo Zimba said. "It is of foremost concern to all Bhutanese people as
an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity has been threatened
by the ngolop problem and by the presence of the ULFA and Bodo militants in the country."
Lyonpo
Zimba said that, in all 20 dzongkhags, the members of the GYT, DYT, the
representatives of the business community, students, and the general
public pledged to do whatever was necessary to remove the militants from
Bhutanese territory. "With such spontaneous support, the government is
reassured of our people's love, loyalty and dedication to the tsawa
sum and is more confident than ever of finding a speedy solution to the
problem," he said. "I would like to make it clear that the royal
government remains fully committed to carrying out the National Assembly
resolutions if the peaceful means fail to persuade the militants to leave
Bhutanese territory."
The
lhengye zhungtshog chairman added that national security was not dependent
on military strength alone, and that the people must be united in
thought and action, and they must place the interest of the nation above
all else."It is also important to have a strong economy to ensure
national security," he said. "We must all work towards strengthening national
self-reliance, generating economic opportunities, creating employment
and improving the lives of the Bhutanese people."
The
head of government informed the National Assembly that the Royal Bhutan
Army had been strengthened and equipped with better arms with the
expenditure met entirely from the RBA's own funds, without affecting the
development budget. The Royal Bhutan Police had also been strengthened
to maintain law and order. All highways were being kept open throughout
the country to facilitate safe travel for the people and shelters had been
constructed for people traveling within Bhutan. Arrangements had been made
for the supply of fuel and essential food commodities for people in the
affected areas. Preparations for emergency camps were underway and emergency
medical teams had been set up. Two security coordination committee
meetings had been held in Gelephu and Deothang to facilitate coordination
among government agencies in case of an emergency.
Lyonpo
Yeshey Zimba said that, meanwhile, the ngolop threat carried equally serious
implications for the country's future. "We must remain ever vigilant
of such elements that threaten our peace and stability," he said. "I would
like to inform the honourable members that the Cabinet continues
to review the security situation frequently." |
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Agreement
signed with ULFA Aug
07, 2001 |
The
home minister, Lyonpo Thinley Gyamtsho, informed the National Assembly of the latest developments in the government's earnest attempts to find
a peaceful solution to the problem.
On
the directive of His Majesty the King and the National Assembly, the home
minister had led a Bhutanese delegation in five rounds of talks with
the militant leaders, two rounds of talks with the ULFA leaders,
in 1998 and 1999, and two rounds with leaders of the National Democratic
Front of Bodoland, in October, 2000, and May, 2001. Finally,
in June, 2001, after three days of talks, ULFA's political advisor and
the finance secretary cum assistant general secretary signed the
agreed minutes with the government on three points:
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The ULFA will remove four of their nine camps in Bhutan by December,
2001; they will reduce the strength of their cadres in the remaining five
camps.
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Following the implementation of this agreement within December, 2001,
the government and the ULFA will meet again to find a solution to the remaining
five ULFA camps in Bhutan.
"Although
this agreement does not really resolve the problem, it is a good start
towards a peaceful solution," said the home minister.
Meanwhile,
the National Democratic Front of Bodoland NDFB, who
were told to remove their camps from Bhutanese territory as soon as possible.
NDFB intended to leave but could not commit a deadline.
The
Zhung Kalyon explained that the agreement with the ULFA leaders had been
signed primarily in keeping with the general consensus in the Assembly
to solve the problem through peaceful means, and to uphold Bhutan's status
as a peace-loving nation, an ideal inspired by His Majesty the King.
The Kalyon assured the members that the agreement was a culmination of
three meetings with the ULFA leaders so far. The content of the agreement
had been drafted taking into account the country's security, Bhutan's cordial
relationship with India, and the interests of the Bhutanese people. He
said that the ULFA leaders had specifically informed the royal government
that their representatives had been given full mandate to take decisions. |
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Bhutan
threatens crackdown against ULFA militants Dec
31 , 2001 |
Bhutan's
monarch has threatened to launch a military crackdown if ULFA and Bodo
rebels do not vacate their bases located inside the tiny Himalayan
kingdom. "Bhutan, today, faces a grave security threat from the presence
of the armed Assamese militants who had illegally entered Bhutan
and refused to leave," King Jigme Singye Wangchuk said. "Bhutan will
make every effort to resolve the problem through a process of peaceful
dialogue," the king told a National Day rally.
"If,
however, the efforts and initiatives for a peaceful solution do not yield
results and the Assamese militants refuse to leave the country, there will
be no option but to send the security forces to remove them from
Bhutanese soil." The outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam and the
National Democratic Front of Bodoland -both fighting for independent
homelands in Assam - have their headquarters in Bhutan.
The rebels
have operated out of Bhutan over the past three years, staging hit-and-run
guerrilla strikes in Assam. It is estimated that more than 4,000-armed
rebels are operating from Bhutan, according to Indian officials.The
king said up to 80,000 people would have to be evacuated from parts of
southern Bhutan if the kingdom's troops were to launch an offensive on
the rebel bases. "If an armed conflict breaks out in the country,
it would create many problems for the government and bring immense
hardship to the people," the king said.
"Members of the security forces, civil servants, businessmen, and people
would face serious danger and many Bhutanese lives could be lost." Last
year, ULFA leaders and top Bhutanese government officials held talks
in Thimphu where the rebels agreed to shift their bases by December-end.
Reports say the ULFA has already relocated at least four of its camps from
Bhutan into adjoining Bangladesh. More than 10,000 people have lost their
lives to insurgency in Assam during the past two decades. |
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