Bhutan hints of military action against ULFA

Major Events Vol. 2 Issue No. 7

July 7 - 21, 2003

Bhutan hints of military action against ULFA

Bhutan said the ULFA and other militants active in North East, who were hiding in that country, would have to face a ‘military action’ if they did not move from its territory. According to a spokesperson of Bhutanese embassy, the issue of the militants from Assam and North Bengal would be deliberated extensively during the ongoing Assembly session.

“If they (militants) refuse to leave through the process of peaceful dialogue, there will be no option but to use military force as directed by the National Assembly,” the spokesperson said. Bhutan had earlier decided to set up a counter-insurgency force to fight them and asked India to ensure that no more militants enter the tiny Himalayan Kingdom.

Bhutan had asked militants to wind up their camps before June 30, failing which Government would take action. Bhutanese King Jigme Wangchuk had recently addressed the lawmakers of the country to discuss the situation in the country especially due to the presence of militant camps of ULFA, Bodo groups and KLO.
While ULFA had nine camps in Bhutan, Bodo ultras had eight and KLO had three, the King had said while reminding the elected representatives that the militant groups had set up these camps illegally in the country by taking advantage of the thick forests in the country. Bhutan estimates that in the event of a conflict with these militants, 10 districts would be directly affected placing more than 66,000 Bhutanese at risk.

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