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| India-Pakistan |
| More than 50 ULFA, NDFB ultras held in Bhutan |
| 2003-12-24 |
| Panery, December 24: More than 50 ULFA and NDFB militants were on Wednesday captured in the mopping up operations against them in Bhutan even as the Royal Bhutan Army disclosed that the offensive may last for five more days. More than 50 militants have been captured in the operations, which was continuing in the south and eastern Bhutan jungles, RBA sources said. He said that since December 13, more than 200 militants belonging to the ULFA, NDFB and the KLO have been captured and most of whom had been already handed over to the Indian Army. When asked as to how long the operation would continue, the source said that it may go on for the next four or five days but at present no exact time frame had been fixed. "It’ll be over when it’s over." The source said that the RBA was at present concentrating on flushing out operation in the eastern and southern side where the rebels had gone after being dislodged from the camps. The source confirmed that all the 30 camps, including 18 of the ULFA had been totally demolished and at present the militants were hiding, some with weapons, in the dense jungles and hilly terrains. "Run away!" The RBA source denied having also captured some women and children from the ULFA and NDFB camps. Reports at Darrangamela had said that a group of 34 women and children who were family members of ULFA and NDFB militants were reaching a refugee camp at Tamulpur on Wednesday. The source however, assured that if there were women and children they would be taken care and no one would be harmed. As to the exact figure of casualty, the source said, it was very difficult to say as the operation was carried out in dense jungle and the terrain was difficult. "No one would even know if a body is lying in the jungles for five days because it is very difficult to reach those places", he said. Not falling into the old "body count" trap. When asked to comment on the offer by Assam Chief Minister for general amnesty to the ultras who surrendered, the source said, this has no relevance with the Himalayan kingdom. "That is the prerogative of the Indian government what to do with the ultras if and when they surrender but our objective is to clean the country and send them to their home," the source added. "Go away and stay away." |
| Posted by:Steve |