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Mizzima: Bhutan asks N.E militants



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              Bhutan asks N.E militants to vacate the bases

By Our Correspondent
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

Guwahati, Nov. 14: While insurgency continues to disturb Bhutan?s
economy and internal law and order situation, the Bhutanese remain
optimistic that the peace will prevail in the country in the near
future.  Two Assamese militants groups have been operating out of Bhutan
since 1991.  The Royal Government?s problem is compounded by its lack of
army power.

Bhutan?s Samdrup Jongkhar border district of the country has witnessed
militant-perpetrated violence among the Bhutanese since 1991 when a
group of ULFA, headed by its self-styled Deputy Commander-in-Chief, set
up a camp in the district.  Samdrup Jongkhar, once a major trading
point, is now harassed by ULFA and NDFB activity, as a result of which
business activities have come to a grinding halt.  Recently, seven
Bhutanese forest authority officials were brutally killed by suspected
militants, forcing the Royal Government to restrict the movement of its
citizens.

In view of spurt in activities, the Indian and Bhutanese governments
held a meeting discussing a possible solution to the militancy problem
but comprehensive steps have yet to be initiated.

Disillusioned with the prolonged insurgency problem, the Bhutanese
government recently issued notices to shop owners and industrials to
?de-engage? (lay off) non-Bhutanese people.  Shops and businesses
presently employing non-Bhutanese people are cautioned to lay off these
workers; failure to comply with this order will be countered by
cancellation of business licenses.  This order has hit business activity
badly, compounding a situation in which Bhutanese already require
permission from insurgency-mindful authorities for crossing Bhutan?s
borders.

?Our trade is virtually finished due to the prolonged insurgency.  Due
to it, our families are facing hardship,? said Kencho Wangdi. Running a
government shop in Samdrup Jongkhar, he found that the decision of the
Royal Government is likely to affect the relationship among the people
of Bhutan and India.  Reportedly, the Bhutanese government had taken
radical steps to defuse tension and initiate precautionary measure in
the district.  Meanwhile, the Government of Bhutan has set a deadline
for December for the militants to vacate their camps. According to an
estimate, there are as many as 27 ULFA and NDFB training camps across
Koipani, Samdrup Jongkhar and Kalikhola. The Royal Government held three
rounds of discussions with the leadership of the militant groups but the
groups refuse to abide by the government?s instructions.

Reportedly, the Bhutanese government?s move was followed by a campaign
for a popular movement against the king by militants occupying Eastern
and Southern Bhutan. The southern part of the country, dominated by the
Nepali community, initiated a movement against the king, forcing the
Royal Government to keep a low profile for the time being.



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<center><font color="#3333FF"><font size=+2>Bhutan asks N.E militants to
vacate the bases</font></font></center>

<p><i><font color="#FF0000"><font size=+1>By Our Correspondent</font></font></i>
<br><i><font color="#FF0000"><font size=+1>Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)</font></font></i>
<p><font size=+1><b><font color="#FF0000">Guwahati, Nov. 14: </font></b>While
insurgency continues to disturb Bhutan?s economy and internal law and order
situation, the Bhutanese remain optimistic that the peace will prevail
in the country in the near future.&nbsp; Two Assamese militants groups
have been operating out of Bhutan since 1991.&nbsp; The Royal Government?s
problem is compounded by its lack of army power.</font>
<p><font size=+1>Bhutan?s Samdrup Jongkhar border district of the country
has witnessed militant-perpetrated violence among the Bhutanese since 1991
when a group of ULFA, headed by its self-styled Deputy Commander-in-Chief,
set up a camp in the district.&nbsp; Samdrup Jongkhar, once a major trading
point, is now harassed by ULFA and NDFB activity, as a result of which
business activities have come to a grinding halt.&nbsp; Recently, seven
Bhutanese forest authority officials were brutally killed by suspected
militants, forcing the Royal Government to restrict the movement of its
citizens.</font>
<p><font size=+1>In view of spurt in activities, the Indian and Bhutanese
governments held a meeting discussing a possible solution to the militancy
problem but comprehensive steps have yet to be initiated.</font>
<p><font size=+1>Disillusioned with the prolonged insurgency problem, the
Bhutanese government recently issued notices to shop owners and industrials
to ?de-engage? (lay off) non-Bhutanese people.&nbsp; Shops and businesses
presently employing non-Bhutanese people are cautioned to lay off these
workers; failure to comply with this order will be countered by cancellation
of business licenses.&nbsp; This order has hit business activity badly,
compounding a situation in which Bhutanese already require permission from
insurgency-mindful authorities for crossing Bhutan?s borders.</font>
<p><font size=+1>?Our trade is virtually finished due to the prolonged
insurgency.&nbsp; Due to it, our families are facing hardship,? said Kencho
Wangdi. Running a government shop in Samdrup Jongkhar, he found that the
decision of the Royal Government is likely to affect the relationship among
the people of Bhutan and India.&nbsp; Reportedly, the Bhutanese government
had taken radical steps to defuse tension and initiate precautionary measure
in the district.&nbsp; Meanwhile, the Government of Bhutan has set a deadline
for December for the militants to vacate their camps. According to an estimate,
there are as many as 27 ULFA and NDFB training camps across Koipani, Samdrup
Jongkhar and Kalikhola. The Royal Government held three rounds of discussions
with the leadership of the militant groups but the groups refuse to abide
by the government?s instructions.</font>
<p><font size=+1>Reportedly, the Bhutanese government?s move was followed
by a campaign for a popular movement against the king by militants occupying
Eastern and Southern Bhutan. The southern part of the country, dominated
by the Nepali community, initiated a movement against the king, forcing
the Royal Government to keep a low profile for the time being.</font>
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