Guwahati, Dec. 17: The Assam police intelligence network today worked overtime to ascertain if the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) publicity secretary B. Irakdao was also among the militant heavyweights ?captured? in Bhutan but drew a blank till late this evening.
There is no confirmation yet about reports doing the rounds that the NDFB leader has been picked up,? a top Assam police official said.
However, the NDFB, which has remained silent ever since the Royal Bhutan Army launched its offensive against them and the Ulfa in Bhutan, today issued a statement to the press.
The statement came from the ?chief of staff of Boroland army? B. Susranggrra.
It said, ?The porous border between Bhutan and our land invited the freedom fighters of NDFB, Ulfa and Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) to take shelter in the jungles of Bhutan and fight the occupational forces of India. The members of the NDFB, Ulfa and KLO never challenged the sanctity and sovereignty of Bhutan.?
He said the militant outfits from the Northeast camping in Bhutan had been ?trying to resolve various issues amicably and peacefully with the Royal government.
?Many rounds of talks were held between the leaders of NDFB, Ulfa, and KLO with the royal government of Bhutan to resolve the problems peacefully and democratically. The last round of talks between the representatives of the NDFB and royal government of Bhutan was held only on November 17, 2003, where an agreement was reached to resolve the problem amicably,? the statement said.
?But it is really shocking and unfortunate that when the talks were on the right track, without any ultimatum, the royal government of Bhutan has launched offensive operation against the helpless struggling groups, the National Democratic Front of Boroland, United Liberation Front of Asom and Kamatapur Liberation Organisation from the wee hours of December 15, 2003,? it pointed out.