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

the Department should ensure that the highways are open to traffic both in
summer and winter.
3. Clearing the Forests along Highways in the Assam-Bhutan Border
The people of Dekiling, Sarpang Tar, Senge and Hilay Geogs under Sarpang
Dzongkhag submitted that officials of the Indian government must co-ordinate
clearing of forests on their side of the highway along Assam-Bhutan border. The
Bhutanese people clear the forests thrice a year on their side of the highway.
Since the countries share a common border, they requested that the Indian
government must arrange to clear forests on their side. The clearance has resulted
in reduced incidences of ambush and robbery on the highways. Further clearance
will reduce the harassment of Bhutanese passengers by Assamese militants.
The BCCI Chimi pointed out that there were many incidences where Bhutanese
people traveling through the border areas have been subjected to robbery and
ambush. Extensive clearing of forests on either side of the highway is a
preventive measure, and will greatly benefit the people. It would also benefit in
protecting people from risks posed by the presence of the militants.
The Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs said that the need to clear forests
and bushes on either side of the Gelephu-Sarpang highway has become very
urgent since 1990 when the Ngolop problem started. The Ngolops have
frequently harassed and attacked travelers on this highway. The urgency has been
further enhanced by the recent harassment of Bhutanese people by militants
across the border.
He informed that according to an agreement between Bhutan and the Assam state
government, each is required to clear 3 meters of forests on their side of the
border. To prevent ambush and firing on passengers traveling between Gelephu
and Sarpang, forests and bushes are being cleared by a minimum of 100 meters
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