Separatist group in Assam admits using Bangladesh as base
October 3rd, 2009 - 4:52 pm ICT by IANSGuwahati, Oct 3 (IANS) An influential tribal separatist group in Assam Saturday for the first time openly admitted to using Bangladesh as a base to carry out their hit-and-run guerrilla strikes in the region, a rebel leader said. He urged the neighbouring country to help them.
“I would like to request the government of Bangladesh to extend helping hands in our struggle for freedom. Particularly, I would like to request the security forces of Bangladesh not to harass or arrest our cadres and members when they sometimes cross to Bangladesh for their safety and security,” D.R. Nabla, president of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), said in a statement to IANS.
Nabla’s statement was made on the NDFB’s 23rd foundation day Saturday.
The NDFB is fighting for an independent homeland for the Bodo tribe in Assam since 1986.
This is the first time any rebel group in the northeast has formally acknowledged operating out of Bangladesh.
New Delhi has repeatedly claimed that several of the militant groups active in the northeast have well entrenched bases in Bangladesh, an allegation Dhaka has continued to deny.
Indian intelligence and home ministry officials were on record saying on several occasions that Nabla and other top leaders of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) were based in Bangladesh.
“If our people have helped Bangladeshis on all counts for freedom from Pakistan without questioning their legitimacy or whatsoever, it becomes an obligation for the people and the government of Bangladesh to help us in our freedom struggle against India,” the NDFB chief said in the statement.
The NDFB is blamed for the Oct 30, 2008 serial explosions in Assam in which about 100 people were killed and more than 300 wounded.
A faction of the NDFB led by guerrilla leader Gobinda Basumatary is operating a ceasefire with New Delhi since 2004. But the Nabla-led group of the NDFB is still waging a bush war against the Indian state.
“We are not against talks. We are still ready for talks. If India prepares for peace talks with us based on the dream of our martyrs and founding principles of our party, we are prepared for talks,” the NDFB leader said.
More than 10,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency in Assam during the past two decades.
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- Bodoland outfit chief's sister killed in Assam - Jan 05, 2010
- NDFB offers unilateral ceasefire for peace talks - Jan 05, 2011
- Bodo leader ready for unconditional talks - Nov 26, 2010
- Assam's Bodo tribals ramp demand for separate state - Nov 20, 2010
- Bangladesh hands over NDFB chief to India (Second Lead) - May 01, 2010
- Thanks to Dhaka, one of India's most wanted fugitives arrested (Roundup) - May 01, 2010
- Assam rebel group vows support for Maoists - Nov 16, 2009
- NDFB leader Daimary ready for talks, but without handcuffs - May 16, 2010
- Army called out after NDFB mows down 12 Assam villagers (Lead) - Oct 05, 2009
- Assam killers arrested in Meghalaya - Feb 11, 2011
- NDFB expels founder president for Assam serial bombings - Jan 01, 2009
- Blasts hit Assam, ULFA and NDFB split formally (Lead) - Jan 01, 2009
- Bodo militant faction warns against staged shootouts - May 31, 2012
Tags: assam, bush war, ceasefire, foundation day, freedom struggle, government of bangladesh, guerrilla leader, helping hands, home ministry, independent homeland, militant groups, ministry officials, nabla, national democratic front, neighbouring country, rebel group, rebel leader, separatist group, ulfa, united liberation front