Guwahati, 21st September: In a significant development, six former cadres of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) were released from Bhutan’s Gelephu prison and handed over to Indian authorities on Friday, September 20. The cadres, identified as Jivan Basumatary, Sonaram Mochahary, Sonam Magar, Bimal Basumatary, Dilip Basumatary, and Fakhon Narzary, had been imprisoned since 2016 following their arrest by the Royal Bhutan Army during a crackdown on insurgent activities.
Their release, facilitated by Bhutanese authorities, is seen as a major step forward in the ongoing peace process in the region. A high-level reception was held at the Gelephu entry gate, located on the India-Bhutan border, to welcome the returnees. The delegation, led by Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pramod Boro and Member of Parliament Jayanta Basumatary, greeted them warmly, emphasizing the importance of their reintegration into society.
The release of the cadres highlights the growing cooperation between India and Bhutan, as both nations work to promote peace and stability in the Bodoland Territorial Region. This marks another positive step in the rehabilitation of former NDFB members, contributing to long-term peace-building efforts in the area.
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