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HVK Archives: Seize the opening

Seize the opening - The Observer

Editorial ()
May 7, 1998

Title: Seize the opening
Author: Editorial
Publication: The Observer
Date: May 7, 1998

Is the South Block listening? The king of Bhutan, Jigme Singye
Wangchuk, has bemoaned that 'the infiltration of extremists from
Assam is a matter of serious concern'. The forcible use of a
country's territory as a 'safe haven' by extremists from another
country is an intolerable situation. This is all the more so,
when the same unsolicited guests start taking undue liberties
with the dignity and security of the hosts, including their women
folk. Villagers in the areas adjoining Assam are reported to be
furious at the turn of events. At the same time, they are also
inhibited from contemplating appropriate action against the
marauding extremists by the fact that they have to use Assamese
territory for transiting into India for trade or travel. This
opens the villagers to retaliation.

The ordeal of ordinary Bhutanese has exacerbated in recent years.
The extremist groups belonging to the United Liberation Front of
Assam (Ulfa) and Bodo Liberation Tiger Force (BLTF) have shifted
their base to Bhutan after Bangladesh made its territory
inhospitable to the rebel outfits following closer cooperation
with India. Clearly, similar understanding and cooperation need
to be pursued with Thimpu. With the extremist groups clearly
testing the patience of the people and the Government of Bhutan,
time is ripe for such a diplomatic thrust on the part of the
Government of India.

The porous border, as also the difficult terrain that obtains on
the eastern border of Bhutan, has made it an ideal retreat for
the extremist groups, especially when the going gets tough in
their home bases. The same combination renders policing the
border an unrewarding task. With the villagers on the Bhutan side
now turning hostile, never have the conditions been so favourable
for a sustained attempt to nab the large body of extremists
taking shelter across the border. The boost to the counter-
insurgency campaign that can follow exploitation of this
combination of favourable circumstances is self-evident. The
South Block, in close cooperation with defence and home
ministries, must act post haste to seize the unfolding
opportunity with both hands.


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