By: Raghavendra P Bellamkonda
raghavendrapb@yahoo.com
December 19, 2003

“You want us to leave Bhutan? We don’t care”
“If you take on us, we will destroy the entire country of Bhutan”
These were the responses of ISI sponsored Anti-India terrorist outfits like ULFA, KLO, NDFB and other northeast groups, when neighboring Bhutan asked them to stop terrorist training camps and leave the Bhutan. This was a few days ago in early December.

“Please let go of us”
“Please declare cessation”
“You are killing civilians”(in Terrorist camps?!)
“Remember the historical ties between North East and people of Bhutan”
These are the latest cries of these inhuman terrorist groups, which often spread the bloodshed in Assam and other northeast states (for whatever reason and for lack of reason as well) after the Royal Bhutan Army launched Operation All Clear.

“What a change just with in a week!”
“What happened?”
“What’s reason behind this positive development, if not successful operation?”
“How could this (terrorists’ defeat) happen?”
These are the reactions of all Indians (resident and global).

This is a result of continuous pressure of Indian Government on Bhutan to act against the terrorist groups operating on Bhutanese soil. This is a result of Bhutan realizing the dangers of terrorism on its own people and land. This is a concerted and united effort of Bhutan and India to fight against terrorism to bring back peace in the northeast and the Himalayan kingdom. Comparing that Bhutan did the task in one week, which Pakistan couldn’t do in 12 years is meaningless. In the case of Bhutan, it was used by northeast terror groups. But the Pakistan and its ISI are themselves sponsors and supporters of Pakistan based terrorist groups. In other words, terrorists are used by Pakistan. There are reports that Pakistan’s ISI directed the ULFA, KLO, and NDFB to attack India in a different place. However, the Bangladesh case is almost similar to that of Bhutan, but it (Bangladesh) needs more pressure, punishment and brainwash by Indian government.

Let’s examine what should and can Indian government do with Bhutan and Bangladesh to deal with anti-India terrorist activities on their soil.

First of all, Bhutan, its people, its Royal Army need to be given due credit for their courage, resolve and determination to fight terrorists. They should be suitably rewarded by India as maximum as India can. India should give Bhutan more trade benefits; help modernize its army, aid for education and health care etc. The rewards given to Bhutan will have great impact on other northeast neighbors to cooperate with India in flushing out the terrorists. Besides the rewards, the intelligence sharing and joint protection of borders should be strengthened between Bhutan and India.

Bangladesh was a colonized state of Pakistan, which got its freedom with the help of India. Today, it’s filled with dangerous fundamentalists and religious fanatics, who dominate in its army and government as well. So, the Bangladesh simply won’t listen to or cooperate with India in a straightforward way. It needs some shock treatment and punishment for supporting Anti-India terrorist groups. In fact, there are some genuine reports that the ULFA, KLO, and NDFB terrorists and their leaders flee into Bangladesh when Royal Bhutan Army chased them. They were given safe haven and royal welcome by Bangladeshi army and fundamentalist groups. So India needs to do more. What can India do to rein in the rigid Bangladesh? Well, India can stop all of its aid and funding to Bangladesh. India can stop providing the satellite and weather related help to most flood, cyclone hit state Bangladesh. India can stop/discourage Bangladesh’s products exported to India. And India can do many, many things to rein in Bangladesh. And the global Indians (NRIs and people of India origin) can also do their part. Stop buying the products made in Bangladesh similar to boycotting the goods that are made in Pakistan.

Special Appeal to all NRIs and People of Indian Origin: Please boycott all the goods that are made in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia which are sponsoring the terrorism directly/indirectly.

Raghavendra P Bellamkonda