Assam rebels 'still active' in Bhutan

Bhutan does not deny the presence of Indian rebels

By the BBC's Subir Bhaumik in Calcutta

The chief minister of India's northeastern state of Assam says two leading rebel groups are operating camps in Bhutan despite the expiry of a deadline set by the Bhutan Government.

Tarun Gogoi told the BBC that the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) were still present in southern Bhutan.

Mr Gogoi said the federal government in Delhi was not putting enough pressure on Bhutan to close down rebel camps.

Bhutan does not deny the presence of Indian rebels but it says it prefers persuasion to military operations against them.

It had earlier given the rebels time until 31 December to leave the country or face military action.

'Definite information'

Mr Gogoi said Indian intelligence agencies had given what he called definite information about these groups still working from at least three districts of Bhutan.

Mr Gogoi says Delhi is not doing enough

Some camps had been closed down by the rebels while many others had moved out, he said.

But many rebel units were still in Bhutan, Mr Gogoi said.

Mr Gogoi said the deadline had expired and the Bhutanese army should now attack the remaining rebel camps.

He said the Indian Government was pressurizing Pakistan to take strong action against Kashmiri militants but it was not doing enough in case of Bhutan.

He said it was time Delhi gave equal priority to all threats to its security.