1 TRANSLATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ... - APFA News

apprehended and brought to justice. The local Assamese officials expressed
their shock and embarrassment that such a brutal crime had been committed on
their national highway against the friendly people of their neighboring country.
They said that they would do their best to track down the culprits and bring
them to justice. They also gave their assurance that no harm would be inflicted
upon Bhutanese vehicles and people travelling through Assam in the future.
The Assamese officials promised to do their best to provide proper security for
Bhutanese vehicles going through their territory. They also requested the Royal
Government not to discontinue the plying of Bhutanese vehicles through
Assam.
Speaking on the issue, the Foreign Minister said that the senseless killings of
innocent Bhutanese travellers that took place on the highway in Assam in
December 2000 had deeply shocked and saddened the whole nation. Out of his
love and compassion for those affected by the tragic incident, His Majesty the
King had personally attended the funeral rites of the deceased and granted cash
compensation and comforted the bereaved family members. This noble and
touching gesture of compassion and kindness by His Majesty will never be
forgotten by the people of Bhutan.
The Foreign Minister reported that after this unfortunate incident, the Lhengye
Zhungtshog convened an emergency meeting and, as per its decision, the
Foreign Minister called the Indian Ambassador to Bhutan the next day and
conveyed the following four points:
1. The Government of India is requested to provide adequate security for
Bhutanese vehicles plying along the Assam highway.
2. The report publicized in the Indian media that the killings of the
innocent Bhutanese people were carried out by the Bodo militants living
inside Bhutanese territories and not by the BLT was clarified to be
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