Bhutan denies existence of ULFA camps on its soil (Lead)

Bhutan Thursday denied the existence of any United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) terror camp on its soil and promised to take necessary action if any such information was passed on by the Indian government.

"I've no information that any such ULFA terror elements exist in Bhutan. There is no member of ULFA in our country," Bhutanese Foreign Minister Lyonto Ugyen Tshering told reporters after inaugurating a new consulate office in Kolkata.

He said if the Bhutan government was intimated about the presence of any such camps, it would take necessary action.

"We've our regular set up ready to deal with that," the minister added.

Talking about the ongoing Gorkhaland agitation, Tshering hoped that the problems in Darjeeling arising out of the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM)'s agitation for a separate Gorkhaland would be solved through a "political mechanism".

"I am very fond of Darjeeling. I hope that the problem of Darjeeling will be resolved through a political mechanism. I think they would find out some solution to resolve the issue," he said.

The three sub-division of Darjeeling district - Darjeeling, Kurseyong and Kalimpong - in northern West Bengal have been on the boil for quite some time following the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland.

Tshering also said India and Bhutan shared a congenial relation and the friendship would deepen in the coming days.

"India and Bhutan will continue to work together in future keeping in mind the interests of both the nations," he said.

Last updated on Dec 17^th, 2009 at 23:51 pm IST--IANS