Editorial»
Bhutan crackdown
DEC 18 - The Bhutan crackdown on the Northeast ltras, who had used Bhutan as a base to wage war against the Indian security forces in Northeast India, needs to be welcomed if only because it could show the way for other countries. The South Asian region has now become a conflict zone, and the militants find it extremely convenient to use the territory of countries other than the one in which it is waging violence. The Maoists of Nepal is a classic case. Though Indian authorities seem not to know the whereabouts of top Nepali Maoist leaders, the general perception in this country is that they operate from the safe haven in India. Indeed, Indian newspapers have been on record quoting police officials as admitting that there is a string of Maoist training camps in India along or near the Nepal-India border. The fact that the leftist leader, M K Nepal, went to Lucknow, in a highly publicised and open-secret visit to meet the Maoist top brass, is an indication of freedom they enjoy in our neighbouring country.
The Northeast militant groups, who operated out of Bhutan, were there since the early 1990s, almost coinciding with the date that the Bhutanese of Nepalese origin were pushed out of that area in southern Bhutan. Bhutan says the militants established 21 training camps in its territory while India puts the number at 36. The militants that operate out of Bhutan and unleash terror in India’s Assam and West Bengal states comprise the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB). ULFA and NDFB are fighting for an independent state, while KLO wants a state within the Indian union.
NDFB was initially armed by the Indian government itself in order to counter ULFA militants. The total strength of the insurgents operating out of Bhutan is estimated at over 3000. Bhutan claims that its army is conducting the operations on its own. However, ULFA chief in an interview to an Indian TV news channel claimed that the Indian army was actually doing the job. Whoever is conducting the operations, it affects the people of Nepalese origin, as most of the militants in Bhutan are located in southern Bhutan where the majority of the Bhutanese are of Nepali origin.
The Royal Bhutan government’s crackdown now could mean their displacement. The government would be well advised to be on guard against any more unnecessary influx of refugees into this country. The international community, particularly human rights organisations, too, would be well advised to monitor any violations of human rights of the innocent people living there. This may mean that those working for rights might have to be brave enough to venture into conflict areas where they will obviously not be welcomed by authorities.Posted on: 2003-12-18 02:31
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