India seeks cooperation from Bangladesh to flush out militants

India has sought cooperation from Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar to carry out a massive crackdown on the militant organisation as it smarts from the killing of scores of people in Assam’s Kokrajhar and Sonitpur district.

Suspected National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit faction) militants killed at least 80 people, mostly from the Adivasi community on Tuesday evening.

Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday spoke to the government of Bhutan following the mass killing. Official sources said Bhutan also promised action against terror outfits holed up on its soil.

“We have also sought cooperation from neighbouring countries including Bangladesh and Myanmar to carry out a major offensive against the militant groups camped on their soil,” said a senior home ministry official to bdnews24.com.

Government reports said that several militant organisations have their bases in Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Although there are no authentic reports on the presence of militant camps in the Himalayan Kingdom, but sources said the Bhutan government had already been intimated by New Delhi about the movements of insurgent groups along the border.

In 2003, the Royal Bhutan Army carried operation “All Clear” to flush out Indian militants from their territory.

“As far as Bangladesh is concerned we are getting proper cooperation from the present Awami League government,” said the home ministry official.

New Delhi on Friday closed the door for talks with insurgent organisations involved in the mass killing.

“Government will not talk to organisations indulging in cold-blooded murder,” said Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh after meeting army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag.

Both Singh and Suhag discussed the situations that have developed in the aftermath of the “massacre” of over 80 people by Bodo insurgents.

The Centre has also asked the army to intensify its operations against the underground organisations.

“We are going to intensify our operations in Assam. I can’t give out any more information,” Gen Suhag told the media after his meeting with the home minister.

Rajnath Singh, who has visited the affected areas, said there would be a time-bound action against terror.

Several of the militant organisations in India’s north-eastern states are presently holding peace talks with the Central government.

Some of the organisations include NSCN (IM), ULFA pro-talks faction, NDFB-progressive, Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) among others.

The Centre, meanwhile, has extended the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the National Democratic Front of Boroland (Progressive) for six months. This followed tripartite talks with the representatives of NDFB (P) held on Dec 22.

The meeting was attended by officials of the Assam government and the Union home ministry.

“After discussion, it was mutually agreed to extend the SoO agreement for a further period of six months up to June 30,” said a senior home ministry official.