Editorial»
Operation All Clear: Bhutan’s step for regional security
DEC 25 - In recent times, friendly relations enjoyed by India and Bhutan had been affected due to
the terrorist camps set up in the Bhutanese territory by some of the insurgent groups operating in Assam and North Bengal. These terrorist groups had adopted the hit and run tactic against civilians, military and other vital economic installations. The security agencies of India were feeling handicapped as the rebels used to flee into the neighboring territory after striking their targets inside India.
Bhutan has tried to rectify this situation by starting a crackdown on these elements. This step is also likely to improve the general security environment in the area as these terrorists were earlier moving freely between India, Bangladesh and Bhutan due to porous border, which is difficult to seal completely.
Three terrorist groups, United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) were operating from their 30 well-fortified camps along the entire southern region comprising four districts of Bhutan. Their total strength was estimated to be in excess of 3,000. Located in difficult jungle terrain, these camps were usually guarded by a series of outposts and land mines. Though some of these camps were dismantled to honour the December 2001 deadline, it later turned out to be farce as they were merely shifted elsewhere.
Bhutan was not taking any action against these groups for fear of reprisals against its citizens. But, the activity of the terrorists inside its territory was also affecting its economy and development process. It gave a number of ultimatums to insurgents to wind up their camps and leave peacefully with goodwill. The last such ultimatum appeared in its national daily, Kuensel, on December 13. When even this ultimatum was treated with scorn, the long overdue and legitimate Bhutanese military offensive against all the three militant groups began on December 15. Had Bhutan not acted this time, it would have meant a serious compromise with its sovereignty over the areas where terrorists had established their camps.
To flush out the terrorists and restore its control over the area, the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA), personally led by the King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuk and his son, started military action against all the camps of these militants in southern district of Samtse, Kalikhola sub-district, Sarpang, Nganglam sub-district, Samdrup Jongkhar, Bhagtar sub-district and Daifam sub-district.
The aim of the RBA operation was to destroy camps and seize weapons so that the militants cannot regroup there in the future. Operation All Clear has managed to smash all the 30 well-fortified camps of the three terrorist outfits having bases in Bhutan. The RBA has also killed about 120 terrorists holed up in these bases. RBA has also either captured or killed a number of senior ULFA leaders. It has managed to capture Bening Rabha, who was ‘major’ in charge of the ULFA’s western camps in Bhutan. Important ULFA leaders, Buragohain, Apurba Deka, Satish Hazarika and Ranjit Hazarika, were also killed.
Though the Bhutanese action has not completely removed the terrorist threat, it has done a serious damage to their infrastructure. Many of them have either fled to Bangladesh or sneaked to India. They might strike back when the pressure is reduced.
However, the ease with which terrorists used to operate earlier will not be there. Previously, the Bhutanese people used to ignore the presence of these elements as the state was in negotiation and wanted them to leave peacefully and with goodwill. But that did not happen and Bhutan was forced to resort to military action.
The action against the terrorists has stirred the whole nation. Now, not only the state and its law enforcing agencies but also common citizens want them to leave. The people of the state are now organizing meetings and persuading their acquaintances to participate in the operation. They are also collecting funds and seem determined to act against the terrorists. Clearly, now onwards, Bhutanese would not be apathetic but hostile towards the militants.
The ULFA appears to have lost appeal in its heartland. Earlier, when the ULFA leaders were arrested, womenfolk of an entire village would rush to the police station or the army camp to demand their release. But now, hardly anyone seems concerned. A number of cadres of these groups are deserting, after being disillusioned by the luxurious lifestyle of their leaders in neighbouring South Asian cities. Women cadres are leaving due to the tough jungle life, lack of bare minimum privacy and facilities in the camps. They also complain of shabby treatment by their male counterparts.
The ideological base of the insurgent groups has been wiped out by recent government initiatives. A memorandum of settlement has been signed between the central government of India and the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) resulting in the formation of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). Following this settlement, 2,623 BLT cadres laid down their arms on December 6 this year, signaling the end of 17 years of armed struggle. A large number of cadres, belonging to the other major Bodo groups, NDFB, have also surrendered showing a desire for peace among the Bodo community.
The Bhutanese crackdown appears to have shattered the morale of the insurgents. A total of 90 militants, belonging to leading insurgent outfits of the Northeast, surrendered before the army, within a day after the launch of the operation in Bhutan. The surrendered militants belonged to the ULFA, NDFB, National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF). They also laid down weapons. The insurgents have now left their camps and are on the run. They have requested Bhutan for a cease-fire. In a letter to Bhutan’s King, ULFA Chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa appealed for a cessation of the offensive, citing the “historical bonds” of the kingdom with northeast India. But, on the basis of its past experience of dealing with these groups, Bhutan has rejected this request.
The end of militant camps in Bhutan, however, does not mean the end of militancy, as there are camps in Bangladesh also. Though Bangladesh claims that it has sealed it borders after the crackdown on the terrorists, it is strongly believed that a number of ULFA militants could have slipped out to that country even before the offensive began. These cadres were already sensing trouble since quite some time, as a large number of their fellow members were arrested or killed in Goalpara and Dhubri districts of Assam during the past two or three months by security forces.
Among the arrested also figured Pranati Deka, cultural secretary of the ULFA. She was arrested in October in Goalpara while trying to sneak to Bangladesh along with two other members of her group. The steps taken by Bhutan are likely to have long-term impact on the terrorist and insurgent groups in the region and on the terror campaign being run by them. Though the crackdown may not completely remove the threats posed by the rebels, it will definitely weaken their firepower. The erosion of their popular base has seriously affected their resolve to carry anti-state activities from the neighbouring territories.
Cross-border terrorism is a serious issue in South Asia. Bhutan has tried to set a novel example by taking a step for regional security. This other countries should also emulate this, if the region desires to experience peace and develop economically.Posted on: 2003-12-25 02:53
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