E-Paper
Assam: BAC fails to check militancy
Bodos hold Santhals and other minority groups living in the BAC area responsible for their own economic and other problems.
In recent years, Bodo rebels have turned against Santhals and other tribal people who work in the tea gardens. They consider Santhals and other minority groups living in the BAC area enemies, and hold them responsible for their own economic and other problems.
The Santhals, who were at the receiving end for long, have started to retaliate. Since the 1996 riots, which constituted the worst incidents of ethnic violence in which over 100 Santhals were killed, they have organised themselves. Intelligence sources said that they had formed their own underground armed groups - the Birsa Commando Force (BCF) and the Adivasi Cobra Militant Force (ACMF) - and were now better equipped to resist Bodo extremists. They do not rule out more such militant groups surfacing in the BAC areas in the future. Another anti-Bodo group that has come up in recent times is the Bengal Tiger Force (BTF).
The frequent outbreak of violence in Lower Assam is a reminder that the Bodoland Accord, which paved the way for the formation of the Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC), has failed to contain militancy among the tribal communities.
Three main demands of the ULFA are: Assam's sovereignty should be the subject of discussion; that the talks should be held in a third country; and that they should be held under the supervision of a representative of the United Nations.
The Bhutan governemnt has been mounting pressure on ULFA and other Bodo extremist groups such as the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) operating from Bhutan. Army intelligence sources say that there are about 2,500 ULFA and Bodo militants in Bhutan and they have a large arsenal. Of late some underground Naga militants belonging to the NSCN(I-M) have moved to Bhutan and set up training camps.
The increasing number of Indian militants taking shelter in Bhutanese territory has now come as a threat to Bhutan.
Insurgents from Assam have started moving out of their bases in southern Bhutan after a deadline set by Bhutanese Government expired on July 1, 2003.
After the deadline for the separatists to leave Bhutan expired the rebels said they were finding it harder to stay in the country.
Indian military officials said the Bhutanese forces were cutting off the supply routes of the rebels, denying them food and medicines which could be essential during the monsoon period.
They have also warned Bhutanese villagers against supporting the rebels for financial gains.
